Mallawa Denna Item Number: 3392/17 from the MOA: University of British Columbia
A watercolour painting which depicts two spiritual beings facing away from each other. The beings both have yellow skin and are wearing wide pants that end just above the knee. The pants are decorated with multicoloured stripes, and curl outward at the hip. An inverted triangular piece hangs down from each of their waists. A blue sash is draped diagonally across each of their chests, in opposite directions. The beings both have dark blue hair that curls upwards from their shoulders. Their earlobes are stretched, and extend almost to their chins. Two of the beings' arms are interlocked at the elbow. The other is raised up by their head. Two of the beings' legs are lifted up and forward so that only the toe touches the ground. Their knees cross in the middle of the page. The background of the painting is red, and a rectangular, dark blue border surrounds the image. There is a rounded, unpainted section behind each of the beings' head and shoulders.
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.
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.