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MASKS
Mask is an ornamental facial decorative wear used in
entertainment and dancing. Early man used masks in rituals, Dramas, Cureing of sickness. It is believed that mask provide
curative benefits for physiological problems.
Use of mask in Sri Lanka as old as Sinhala nation and there are three main
verities and used the wood call Diya Kanduru ( nux vomica or Blazar) .Reason for using Diya Kanduru is for its lightness,Durability,no
cracking,no insect attacking and easy to carve.
1) Sanni mask
Sanni means sickness
and there are 18 sicknesses hence there are 18 sanni masks.
2) Kolam mask
Kolam mask used more in dramas and commonly
seen Southern part of Sri Lanka.
Aatha Kolama, Arachchi Kolama, Police Kolama, Jasaya and Lenchina are some of them.
3)
Raksha mask
Used in many functions and features comes as Gurula Mask (Gurula is a mythical bird), Cobra mask, Peacock
masketc.
Sri Lanka is known world over for her handicrafts of wooden masks. These products
are manufactured by applying age-old techniques that have been handed down from generation to generation.
These artifacts
are manufactured by using only the tools particular to them and from raw materials found abundant in nature.
History
mentions that crafting of these were limited to a section of people who were given royal patronage and were identified as
people belonging to a specific caste (there were many castes and one such caste was in the business of making these artifacts).
This type of segregation helped to give a unique identity to this industry over the times. Even today one would find the same
authentic procedures involved in the making of such handicrafts strictly observed.
These masks are an integral part of
the Sri Lankan culture. Sri Lanka being a country in the tropics, where many a colourful facades of nature are omnipresent,
it is not out of place that many of these handicrafts are quite vibrant and dramatic.
Sri Lanka has a varied heritage
for of traditional masks and crafts. These products are a result of age - old techniques, indigenous raw materials and tools
of natural Attractive masks are fashioned in rural Craft Centers. It was with in these Castes that traditional skills were
preserved with a high degree of distinct ethnic identity,
Sri Lanka handy crafts men have been able to success fully combines
certain raw material in to modern Crafts. Sri Lanka is well renowned to produce exquisite masks.
Sri Lankan masks are
based largely in concurrence with natural raw materials used in historical factors with royal patronage in the past. Sri Lankan
Handicrafts have vivid Colour Combinations, which blends with nature.
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