Thisal Kaluarachchi Still Images
MASK - Erandathi Poornaka
The history of masks in Sri lanka goes back to even before 1895. At that time, masks had been used for the popular stories and characters performed. Our history starts from the arrival of the King Vijaya and his team. The art of masks is to be believed come from South East India, and it had strong relations with the worshiping of devils. This tradition was further developed by the Sinhalese people (Kuveni Asna which explains the story about cursing to King Vijaya and Panduvasdeva by Kuveni was written in 15th century during the Kotte Kingdom). According to the writings and fictions, a dancing troup who used masks had come to Sri Lanka from South India in the 16th century during which the Europeans ruled the country. During this period, the tradition of Kolam was mixed with the art of masks. This art was popular in the countries like Burma, Greece and Rome and it was evident that there were similarities in the masks of Europe and Sri Lanka. However, Sri Lankan art of masks was based on some cultural and religious factors — in Ambalangoda, Sri Lanka.
MASK - Erandathi Poornaka
The history of masks in Sri lanka goes back to even before 1895. At that time, masks had been used for the popular stories and characters performed. Our history starts from the arrival of the King Vijaya and his team. The art of masks is to be believed come from South East India, and it had strong relations with the worshiping of devils. This tradition was further developed by the Sinhalese people (Kuveni Asna which explains the story about cursing to King Vijaya and Panduvasdeva by Kuveni was written in 15th century during the Kotte Kingdom). According to the writings and fictions, a dancing troup who used masks had come to Sri Lanka from South India in the 16th century during which the Europeans ruled the country. During this period, the tradition of Kolam was mixed with the art of masks. This art was popular in the countries like Burma, Greece and Rome and it was evident that there were similarities in the masks of Europe and Sri Lanka. However, Sri Lankan art of masks was based on some cultural and religious factors — in Ambalangoda, Sri Lanka.