Asurayo Denna Item Number: 3392/32 from the MOA: University of British Columbia
A watercolour painting which depicts two spiritual beings facing one another. The beings are each holding out an arm in front of them, which are linked at the elbow. They have yellow skin, black hair, and grinning fanged mouths. A circular disc protrudes backwards from the side of each face. They are wearing wide, blue and white striped pants that end at the knee and curl outward at the hips. An inverted, red triangular piece of fabric hangs down from each of their waists. Both beings are holding a blade over their shoulder, and their other arm ends in a red, oblong shape. There are decorative bands around both of the beings' necks. The painting's background is red, and a rectangular black border surrounds the image. White oblong rings radiate from both 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.