Question 1

What is the Lenchina Kolam mask?

Accepted Answer

The Lenchina Kolam mask represents the wife of Jasaya, a comic male character in Sri Lanka's traditional Kolam dance-drama. The mask is notable for depicting both an aged woman and a youthful, alluring figure simultaneously, giving it what performers describe as a double attraction. It is carved and painted by specialist craftspeople, traditionally in the Ambalangoda area of the Southern Province.

Question 2

What is Kolam dance-drama in Sri Lanka?

Accepted Answer

Kolam is a traditional Sri Lankan masked dance-drama performed primarily in the Southern Province. It combines ritual purpose with comedy and social commentary, using carved wooden masks to portray a wide cast of characters including royalty, demons, and ordinary villagers. Performances traditionally take place at night over multiple sessions and are rooted in the folk traditions of coastal southern Sri Lanka.

Question 3

Where can I see Kolam masks in Sri Lanka?

Accepted Answer

The best place to see Kolam masks is Ambalangoda in the Southern Province, which is the historic centre of Sri Lanka's mask-carving tradition. The Ariyapala Mask Museum there holds extensive collections of Kolam and Sanni masks. Colombo and Kandy also have cultural museums with examples of traditional masks.

Question 4

What wood are Kolam masks made from?

Accepted Answer

Kolam masks are traditionally carved from the wood of the Kaduru tree, known botanically as Strychnos nux-vomica. The wood is valued for being lightweight, relatively soft, and well-suited to the detailed carving that Kolam mask characters require. After carving, masks are painted with pigments chosen to reflect each character's personality and dramatic role.

Question 5

What is the role of Jasaya in Kolam?

Accepted Answer

Jasaya is one of the principal comic characters in Kolam dance-drama, representing an ordinary village man. His wife, Lenchina, is his theatrical counterpart, and their scenes together form some of the most humorous and crowd-pleasing moments in a Kolam performance. The dynamic between the two characters is used to explore themes of desire, vanity, and the comedy of domestic life.

Question 6

Why does the Lenchina mask show both youth and old age?

Accepted Answer

The dual appearance of the Lenchina mask reflects the character's dramatic role: she is an older woman who retains a youthful allure, creating both comedy and a deeper comment on appearances and desire. The mask-maker achieves this through careful proportioning and the selection of colours that suggest both qualities simultaneously. This visual ambiguity is central to the character's appeal on stage.

Question 7

Is Kolam still performed in Sri Lanka today?

Accepted Answer

Yes, Kolam performances continue in the Southern Province, particularly in communities around Ambalangoda and in villages that maintain the tradition through festival and ceremonial contexts. The tradition faces the pressures common to many forms of intangible heritage, but mask-carving families and cultural organisations in the south are actively working to keep it alive. Visitors with a strong interest in the form should enquire locally about scheduled performances during their stay.

Lenchina

Lenchina Kolam Mask