The Masks Reveled

What’s Behind the Mask : The Story of the traditional Masks in Sri Lanka

BY Naveen Vaas

Sri Lanka; small may it be, but when it comes to culture, we are truly unmatched. Different parts of this island nation has mastered different types of arts for the last thousand years or so, and the Southern part of the island has many arts and history contained. For example the Southern dance style, the Southern musical instruments, even the way they fish is an art that no other part in the island follows. Travelling south from Colombo before Galle you will find the city of Ambalangoda- the city of masks. Here you will find a very special story behind these masks that will be revealed.

The art of masks has been passed down from generation to generation. The genealogy of the guardians of the tradition are as follows,

• Juwan Wadu Edorie de Silva 1798 - 1868
• Juwan Wadu Edorie de Silva 1830 - 1895
• Juwan Wadu Ondorie De Silva Wijesooriya, Wadu arachchi 1860 - 1929
• Juwan Wadu Mathes De Silva Wijesooriya 1883 - 1927
• Juwan Wadu Ariypala De Silva Wijesooriya 1901 - 1995
• Bandusena Wijesooriya 1939 - 2005
• Rukmal Wijesooriya born 1976

  

The guardians are responsible the well being of the tradition and not let it die. And they are also responsible of passing out this art to there next in line.

The manner in which a small tree log becomes a mask the process is quite brilliant. These are the ingredients that are needed to make the masks. Kaduru wood, a vice, a saw,various types of chisels, a ruler, a mallet, a whet-stone, abrasive materials,

A pair of compasses, an angle, a ruler and a plumb rule,

Brushes, colours, resin, oil and clay

 

All these things were needed to carve masks in the past. Most of the masks were carved from Kaduru wood(nux vomica). This is comparatively light, but durable wood which is easy to work.

At first the wood was cut into the approximate size. The log was measured to lay down the proper dimensions of the mask. Then the carving was done in various steps, after this the finer carving was done.

After all this was accomplished, the mask was put close to the fireplace to let it dry. Then the face of the mask was smoothened with the skin of a seafish (thalapath) and later with a leaf with a rough surface (motadeliya)

To provide a durable coat, a mixture of resin powder (dummala), a tree oil (dorana tel) and clay (alliyadu) was applied This surface was smoothened with the spathe of the breadfruit flower ( del Saueran).

Then the painting starts.

Usually yellow is being applied as the basic colour, then the detailed painting was done. To protect the colours, a mixture of resin powder and tree oil (valichchia) was applied to the mask.

Different masks have different back stories and used to different types of rituals,

The 12 followers of the God Vesamuni, they come clean and arrange the ritual place for the 18 disease (sanni) demons those 12 followers are known as the Twelve Pali (Dolos Paliya) once they clean the place and bring the necessary requirements they invite 18 sanni demons to come.

The Twelve Pali is as follows,

• Pandam Paliya Carries burning torches
• Dummala Paliya Resin and Charcoal
• Kadu Paliya A sword
• Kalas Paliya A pot containing flowers
• Kendi Paliya A pot with purified water
• Salu Paliya A Shawl
• Dalumura Paliya Betel, flowers and coins
• Thambili Paliya A king coconut
• Kukulu Paliya A cock
• Dunu Paliya A bow an arrow
• Muguru Paliya A Club
• Athu Paliya Branches of a tree

These Pali characters are humorous, By they are jokes they tend to invoke laughter among the audience. Laughter plays an important part in the process of the treatment of the patient.

The 18 Sanni demons, These Sanni demons are very powerful group of demons, they can make people sick by looking at them.

• Deva Sanniya Causes measles, mumps, smallpox, diarrhea,typhoid fever, cholera
• Vata Sanniya Causes diseases caused by air in the body; also paralysis,
• Pith Sanniya Causes diseases of the bile
• Anukku Sanniya Causes stomach pain, vomiting
• Naga Sanniya Vision of this demon causes poison in the body.
• Ginijala Sanniya Causes heat, similar to fire in the body and burning sensation.
• Selesma Sanniya Causes headache.
• Kapala Sanniya Cough, sneezing
• Maru Sanniya Causes fear of death also death
• Kadawatha Sanniya Is trying to break down barriers which separate him from the patient
• Kora Sanniya Causes lame limbs, swollen joints
• Buhutu Sanniya Causes temporary madness
• Kana Sanniya Causes temporary blindness
• Jala Sanniya Causes unbearable cold and shivering
• Bihiri Sanniya Causes temporary deafness
• Golu Sanniya Causes temporary dumbness
• Velum Sanniya Causing shivering and fits
• Gedi Sanniya Causes furuncles

Maha Kola is the chief of these 18 demons. In a Sanni Yakuma, the specialist calls all the sanni demons that have caused the diseases of the patient. The patient gives them offerings and the demons including their Chief Maha Kola will leave the place.

The Five yaku, Yaku ara a group of demons. Among them, five are particularly dangerous. They have the power to make people sick by looking at them.

• Kalu Yaka, The Black demon Causes diseases to women and babies and evokes erotic dreams to young females

• Riri Yaka, The Blood demon Causes diseases connected with the blood

• Mahasona, The Great Cemetery demon Frightens people, causes and disorientates them

• Suniyam Yaka Paralyzes people and is connected by sorcery

• Ahimana Yaka Frightnes people too and causes mental diseases

In the hierarchy of beings, Yaku occupy a very low position because of their wicked and bad actions of their former lives.

The Yaku have to withdraw their evil influences when the patients gives them offerings. Once the is done the demons are pacified and are sent away by the ritual specialist.

Those are the main types of masks that are made for Sinhalese healing rituals, And different masks do different activities. But today the art of masks is dying there are only few traditional mask makers left in the country.

At the end yes this a beautiful art what if we give a little more attention.