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Iconographic Meaning

Crocodile is indicated by red and black flecked lines running parallel to long axis, representing scales; and by long throat, open mouth, red lips and sharp white teeth

History Of Use

Kolam is a rural opera of Sri Lanka, having a central theme and a series of episodes enacted by masked dancers; originally confined to south coastal belt, but later extended to southern and western province; performed outdoors, from evening to morning

Description

Mask with protruding close set eyes with a curved slit under each, a pointed chin, a small nose, an elongated muzzle, and an open mouth with 25 upper and 23 lower teeth that decrease in size from front to back. The centre incisors are large and sharp. The mask also has wide white eyebrows outlined with black line above, and red line beneath and a wide yellow band between the eyebrows and eyelids, a curved horizontal slit under each eye. There is a small protuberance on the forehead between the eyebrows. There is an elliptical opening on each side of head, at ear level. The left opening contains a transverse wire. The edge of mask has round perforations at top centre and left and right side. The top perforation holds a wire hook and a shred of red fabric. The right perforation holds a shred of red fabric.