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Iconographic Meaning

Translation of the title is thought to be 'king of heaven/paradise'. Identified as a minor god.

Narrative

The collector, Dr. Michael Egan, wrote his doctoral thesis on healing rituals in Sri Lanka. His fieldwork was carried out in the south of Sri Lanka, in the village of Kadurupokuna (Hambantota District), between Sept. 1965 and Nov. 1966.

Description

A watercolour painting which depicts a spiritual being seated on a horned, four-legged animal. The being's skin is white, and it is wearing a brown skirt that ends just below the knee and curls outward at the hip. The bottom of the skirt has a border made up of white, yellow, and brown horizontal stripes. The main body of the skirt is covered in thinner horizontal stripes, and consists of two pieces which come together in the front. A piece of fabric hangs down from the skirt's waistband, which is decorated with a repeating circular pattern. A blue, dotted sash is draped diagonally across the being's chest. Additional adornments are wrapped around its chest and neck, and decorative bands encircle its biceps, wrists, and ankles. The being has narrow eyes, a small mouth, and stretched earlobes which extend to its chin. Decorations extend from the bottom of its nose. The being's arms are raised by its sides, and one of them is holding an object with a long, thin handle and a rounded, tapered end comprised of multiple strands that hang down to the being's wrist. One of the being's legs is bent underneath it, and rests on the head and back of a four-legged animal. The animal is light orange, with a humped back, short, pointed horns, and long face, legs, and tail. One of its back legs is lifted and bent. The painting's background is bright yellow, and a rectangular black border surrounds the image. Orange and white rings radiate from behind the being's head and shoulders.

History Of Use

The imagery is possibly associated with ritual healing in Sri Lanka. The set of watercolours (3392/3-34) is said to depict spirits that inhabit planets, or deviyo (minor gods) or rakshas and yakkas (evil or mischievous beings). These beings are often depicted in masked dances and exorcisms.