MASK CARVING AND MASK DANCE
Sri Lanka's traditional mask is not something which recently started. It’s one of immemorial item that comes from early 1895; the era was reigned by the great ancient kings. And this is one most attractive item belongs to traditional method of human disease treatments.
These masks have been used accordingly the popular stories and characters performed. Therefore for such treatments, the performers use to wear specific outfit comes along with mask and dance around the valetudinarian. Even today the majority of Sinhalese deeply believes on these treatments and they find the true and successful results over the treatment. While it works as a treatment, same time it is also one interesting event which you could never delete from your memory.
There are different categories in masks such as Sanni Bandara, Raksha Kaarna and Yaksha Kaanda. Apart from the treatment purpose the art of masks are used in blessings purpose too.
Ambalangda is the most famous place for the traditional mask carvings and masks dancing in Sri Lanka. Apart from Hambanthota there are few more well known places were the mask carving and dancing are performed like Benthara, Wathugedara and some parts of Western Province.
The traditional masks are mostly turned out from the timber called ‘Kaduru’ (Stychnos Nux Vomica) which is grown in marshy lands bordering paddy fields. The wood of Kaduru is light, soft, and easy to carve. Hence the mask made by Kaduru wood takes much smoother and lighter than other.
KADURU TREE
THE METHOD OF MAKING MASKS
Firstly, the trunks of felt tree are kept under hot sun to dry and to drain out the sticky juice. Thereafter it is measured and cut into pieces of required sizes of the various masks. Then the carver gives the basic shape of the mask to the piece of trunk with the help of chisels and a mallet. These measurements of carving have been given in ancient manuscripts. After this, the mask is kept on a stall of a hearth (Dum Messa) for six or seven days to get the smoke to season the wood. This is a very important step as well as a traditional method to keep masks free from the insects’ attack that we still follow. Subsequently, mask is taken out from the smoking stall and gradually shaped the face to get the specific expression by using various types of chisels and mallet. Before a mask is painted, it is smoothen with Motadelia leaves and Delsavaran which is obtained from the Breadfruit tree. As a first step of painting, light-yellow (primary color) is applied on the surface of every mask. Here onwards colors are applied according to ancient manuscripts of our forefathers of our family. Colors are mixed with ‘Dorana oil’ to assure the durability of colors. Each mask has its own particular colors to depict their characteristic features
STEPS OF MASK CARVING
Expressions of masks varied from one to another because each and every mask has its own characteristic role that links with folklore stories. Most of the times masks have hidden expressions. So, to depict those particular expressions, carver should enter mentally to the character of the mask. Because of this, mask carving is not merely a practice of chisel and mallet. It should have a wide traditional and philosophical training background.
The masks utilized for traditional Sinhalese healing rituals like Sanni Yakuma as well as traditional comic folk plays like Kolam Dances are classified as:
RAKSHA MASKS
Raksha masks are also used to perform Raksha dances in Kolam Maduwa. According to legends, Sri Lanka was earlier ruled by a race called Rakshasas whose king was Ravana of the Ramayana. Rakshasas could assume various forms. Although we have 24 forms of Rakshasas only few are performed in Kolam dance. Those are:
SANNI YAKUMA
Sinhalese has variety of traditional healing rituals. Among them ‘Sanni Yakuma’ is the most elaborated ritual. This healing way related to the equilibrium of the body of man. If the mental or physical equilibrium of man gets upset by a trouble in the process of digestion of food, or wrong actions or wrong thoughts (psychologically), man is exposed to sickness. Which according to the traditions is brought to them by the demons. So ancient people personified these diseases in the form of the demons. There are 18 diseases attributed to 18 demons (Sanni) in Sanni Yakuma.They are,
Basically Sanni Yakuma is performed under three main ritual steps. They are,
Subsequently, patient re-establishes his equilibrium and he is emancipated from diseases. Ancient mask makers depicted these 18 demons associated with the diseases in the wood. Beside these the chief of Sanni demons is depicted as ‘Maha Kola’ masks (Medicine Mask).
KOLAM DANCES(KOLAM MADUWA)
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Kolam is a traditional folk play in the west and in the south-west coastal regions in Sri Lanka.According to the mythologies, kolam masks were originated from the period of King Maha Sammatha, the first King of human beings. The queen of this King was pregnant and she felt a strong desire to see mask-dances. But no one knew how to perform it and queen suffered more and more. Finally God Sakra concern about her and asked God Vishvakarma (God of craftsmen) to provide the masks and the lyrics for such dance. Next morning the masks and verses provided by God Vishvakarma were found in the royal garden. After King’s order mask dances were performed in front of the queen.Then she was highly pleased and satisfied, and her pregnancy cravings disappeared.
This mythological aspect is referred to in every Kolam dance by arriving two characters wearing masks of King and Queen. But the Kolam dance depicts not only mythological aspects but also the aspects of lives in traditional Sinhalese society by performing various stories of royal servants.Among the Kolam mask, prominence is given to characters like Panikkala, Nonchi akka, Hewa, Jasaya, Lenchina, Mudali, etc
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