mask

Unknown artist

1916.9.160 Name and identification of character A Tamil, Kadira (Sin.). Context The Tamil appears in a Kolam dance performance joined by his wife called Tangacci in Tamil. Material Wood, vel-kaduru (Sin.) (Nux vomica). Iconography The mask comprises a head-dress in the form of a low-cut turban. The turban display's the carver's sensitivity. The pleats are well demarcated through painting; in green, white and red parts. The drummers, the moneylender, The Brahmins and the Tamil wear turbans. The Väddas do not wear turbans made of cloth. In this mask, the turban is small with the ends tucked in and does not represent a drummer's head-dress. The upper row of teeth are prominently displayed and painted in white. The crudely shaped ears are separately fitted to the mask. The lips are painted in red. Comments on the Umaluff Catalogue In the catalogue, this mask is referred to as depicting a ¿Väddah¿. This is wrong, as Väddas do not wear turbans. 2000 05 03 Dr. M. H. Goonatilleka