On the southern coast of Sri Lanka is the small town of Ambalangoda renowned for the ancient craft of mask making. People of Amalangoda are supposed to be specialized in the crafting of masks for dances that have been a vital part of the daily lives of the village folk around the coastal region from time immemorial for both entertainment and healing purposes. Though very few families now remain in Ambalangoda who practice this ancient art, it is still a popular form of entertainment unique to Sri Lanka and quite a few households display masks as ornamental instruments and is not completely forgotten from the hearts of people.
Masks are classified as human beings, gods, yakksha (Demons), raksha, animals and composite and take various shapes and expressions in a vibrant array of colours. Mask dancing is of two forms, the Sanni Yakkuma which are forms of healing rituals and kolam dances which are comedies of ancient folk tales. People believed the illnesses that couldn’t be healed by herbs alone at the time were caused by a demon entering a body or caused by one and 18 different masks for 18 different demons of various ailments were carved and healing rituals performed where offerings were given and a demon dances and leaves the body and the patient is healed. The Kolam dances date back to the age of King Maha Sammatha, the first king of human beings and is still danced by a few depicting various stories from ancient times, usually comedies where characters like Nonchi akka, Hewa, Panikkala, Jasaya and Lenchina, and the Mudali take center stage.
The making of masks is a long process and takes both skill and dedication by the crafter. It is made of a light, soft wood called ‘Kaduru’ which is cut and processed first under the hot sun to drain it of juice and then in smoked rooms to preserve it from insects. The masks are carved with chisel and mallet and smoothed and finally painted over with yellow paint as the base. Special paint is made as per the ancient teachings for durability and each character has its own shades of colour to depict the exaggerated expressions on each mask.
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