<p>Masks are a familiar and vivid element in many folk and traditional pageants, ceremonies, rituals and festivals, and are often of an ancient origin. They have an element of mystery for the au</p>.<p>dience. Ritual masks occur throughout the world, and although they tend to share many characteristics, highly distinctive forms have developed. Masks play a key part within world theatre traditions. <br /><br />Each country has its own mask traditions. Sri Lanka has a rich and elaborate mask tradition. Sri Lankan masks have distinct features and characteristics and each mask has a purpose or a story behind it. They are used for theatrical or ritual purpose and also in processions. There are three categories of masks - Kollam mask used in rural dance drama, Sanni mask for demon dance ceremonies to exorcise disease causing demons and Raksha masks which are used in processions and ceremonies.<br /><br />Kollam is a traditional dance form popular in the South of the country. The Kollam masks aid in the clever caricature of characters and incidents from Sinhalese village life. The actors, headed by a narrator, depict various episodes through masked dance, mime and impromptu dialogue. Each character wears a mask. <br /><br />The second type of mask, Sanni, is the devil dancing mask that dancers wear in order to impersonate disease causing demons and exorcise them. There are 18 different masks symbolising a different Sanni to exorcise different diseases ranging from rheumatism, earache or boils to bile and phlegm. The whole grotesque ensemble is bordered by two cobras, with others sprouting from the demon’s head.<br /><br />A third type of mask is the Raksha mask. The Ramayana tells us that Sri Lanka was once ruled by a race called Rakshasas, whose king was Ravana. The Rakshasas could assume the form of cobras to terrify and subjugate their enemies. The Raksha marks originated from these legends. The masks are used in processions and festivals. There are about 25 varieties, including the common naga (cobra) raksha mask, in which a demonic face complete with protruding eyeballs, lolling tongue and pointed teeth is topped with ‘coiffure’ of writhing cobras. Most masks are made from a balsa-type wood native to Sri Lanka. The wood is light, easy to carve and durable. It is smoked-dried before the mask is carved out of it. Yellow is applied as the base colour, with other colours being added as desired. The final stage of the process is the application of a mixture of resin powder and oil. The masks are created by traditional artisans. For the tourist market, masks are now created as souvenirs in the from of key chains and wall hangings.<br /><br />Ambalangoda, which is located about 80 kms from Colombo is famous for its mask-making industry. There is even a museum here that explains how it all works.<br /></p>
<p>Masks are a familiar and vivid element in many folk and traditional pageants, ceremonies, rituals and festivals, and are often of an ancient origin. They have an element of mystery for the au</p>.<p>dience. Ritual masks occur throughout the world, and although they tend to share many characteristics, highly distinctive forms have developed. Masks play a key part within world theatre traditions. <br /><br />Each country has its own mask traditions. Sri Lanka has a rich and elaborate mask tradition. Sri Lankan masks have distinct features and characteristics and each mask has a purpose or a story behind it. They are used for theatrical or ritual purpose and also in processions. There are three categories of masks - Kollam mask used in rural dance drama, Sanni mask for demon dance ceremonies to exorcise disease causing demons and Raksha masks which are used in processions and ceremonies.<br /><br />Kollam is a traditional dance form popular in the South of the country. The Kollam masks aid in the clever caricature of characters and incidents from Sinhalese village life. The actors, headed by a narrator, depict various episodes through masked dance, mime and impromptu dialogue. Each character wears a mask. <br /><br />The second type of mask, Sanni, is the devil dancing mask that dancers wear in order to impersonate disease causing demons and exorcise them. There are 18 different masks symbolising a different Sanni to exorcise different diseases ranging from rheumatism, earache or boils to bile and phlegm. The whole grotesque ensemble is bordered by two cobras, with others sprouting from the demon’s head.<br /><br />A third type of mask is the Raksha mask. The Ramayana tells us that Sri Lanka was once ruled by a race called Rakshasas, whose king was Ravana. The Rakshasas could assume the form of cobras to terrify and subjugate their enemies. The Raksha marks originated from these legends. The masks are used in processions and festivals. There are about 25 varieties, including the common naga (cobra) raksha mask, in which a demonic face complete with protruding eyeballs, lolling tongue and pointed teeth is topped with ‘coiffure’ of writhing cobras. Most masks are made from a balsa-type wood native to Sri Lanka. The wood is light, easy to carve and durable. It is smoked-dried before the mask is carved out of it. Yellow is applied as the base colour, with other colours being added as desired. The final stage of the process is the application of a mixture of resin powder and oil. The masks are created by traditional artisans. For the tourist market, masks are now created as souvenirs in the from of key chains and wall hangings.<br /><br />Ambalangoda, which is located about 80 kms from Colombo is famous for its mask-making industry. There is even a museum here that explains how it all works.<br /></p>
