<p>Every country, civilisation, society and tribe has its own set of masks. They embody in them the culture, tradition and beliefs of the people, and can be mesmerising, mysterious and miraculous. They are used to drive away evil spirits, in rituals to cure various ailments, and in various theatre traditions. The power of the mask is in its expression, and the great skill and art that lies in its making.<br /><br /></p>.<p>Masks are a familiar and vivid element in many folk and traditional dances, processions, pageants, ceremonies, rituals and festivals, bringing in an element of mystery. <br /><br />Sri Lanka has a rich and elaborate mask tradition. Sri Lankan masks have distinct features and characteristics, and each mask has a purpose and story behind it. They are used in processions and for theatrical or ritualistic purposes. There are three categories of masks — kolam masks used in rural dance dramas, sanni masks for demon dance ceremonies to exorcise disease-causing demons, and raksha masks used in processions and ceremonies.<br /><br />Kolam, a traditional dance, is a form of folk entertainment popular in the South of the country. The kolam masks aid in the clever caricature of characters and incidents from Sinhalese village life. The actors, assisted by a narrator, depict various episodes through masked dance, mime and impromptu dialogue, making each kolam dance unique.<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, each symbolising a different sanni, to exorcise different diseases ranging from rheumatism, ear ache and boils to bile and phlegm. The whole grotesque ensemble is bordered by two cobras, with others sprouting from the demon’s head.<br /><br />The third type of mask is the raksha mask. The Ramayana tells us that Sri Lanka was once ruled by a race called the rakshasas, whose king was Ravana. The rakshasas could assume the form of cobras to terrify and subjugate their enemies. Raksha masks originated from these legends and 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 the ‘coiffure’ of writhing cobras. <br /><br />Most masks are made from a balsa-type wood native to Sri Lanka. The wood is light, easy to carve, and durable. It is smoke-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 form of key chains, wall hangings and home decor.<br /><br />Visitors to Sri Lanka can see most of these masks at Ambalagoda, which is located about 80 km from Colombo, and is famous for its mask-making industry. There is even a museum displaying various types of masks.<br /></p>
<p>Every country, civilisation, society and tribe has its own set of masks. They embody in them the culture, tradition and beliefs of the people, and can be mesmerising, mysterious and miraculous. They are used to drive away evil spirits, in rituals to cure various ailments, and in various theatre traditions. The power of the mask is in its expression, and the great skill and art that lies in its making.<br /><br /></p>.<p>Masks are a familiar and vivid element in many folk and traditional dances, processions, pageants, ceremonies, rituals and festivals, bringing in an element of mystery. <br /><br />Sri Lanka has a rich and elaborate mask tradition. Sri Lankan masks have distinct features and characteristics, and each mask has a purpose and story behind it. They are used in processions and for theatrical or ritualistic purposes. There are three categories of masks — kolam masks used in rural dance dramas, sanni masks for demon dance ceremonies to exorcise disease-causing demons, and raksha masks used in processions and ceremonies.<br /><br />Kolam, a traditional dance, is a form of folk entertainment popular in the South of the country. The kolam masks aid in the clever caricature of characters and incidents from Sinhalese village life. The actors, assisted by a narrator, depict various episodes through masked dance, mime and impromptu dialogue, making each kolam dance unique.<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, each symbolising a different sanni, to exorcise different diseases ranging from rheumatism, ear ache and boils to bile and phlegm. The whole grotesque ensemble is bordered by two cobras, with others sprouting from the demon’s head.<br /><br />The third type of mask is the raksha mask. The Ramayana tells us that Sri Lanka was once ruled by a race called the rakshasas, whose king was Ravana. The rakshasas could assume the form of cobras to terrify and subjugate their enemies. Raksha masks originated from these legends and 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 the ‘coiffure’ of writhing cobras. <br /><br />Most masks are made from a balsa-type wood native to Sri Lanka. The wood is light, easy to carve, and durable. It is smoke-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 form of key chains, wall hangings and home decor.<br /><br />Visitors to Sri Lanka can see most of these masks at Ambalagoda, which is located about 80 km from Colombo, and is famous for its mask-making industry. There is even a museum displaying various types of masks.<br /></p>
