Mal means flower, and the Mal Gurulu is the bird demon in full bloom. Its long face narrows to a bright red beak, and the whole mask is covered in painted petals, leaves and scrolls in red, yellow, orange and green. Coiled around the beak and running up the centre of the face to the crown is a cobra in blue-grey scales, the Gurulu's traditional prey.
The detail. The side panels rise like wings. Their upper parts are painted as curling plumes edged in red and green; their lower parts are broad ovals speckled in dark brown and ringed in yellow and white. The cobra's belly is striped in cream, and its black head tops the crown.
Construction. The central face is carved hollow, and the two side panels are cut separately and joined to it. The back is left as natural wood, with a small screw eye for hanging.
In tradition. In Sri Lankan folklore the Gurulu bird and the naga cobra are eternal enemies, and the snake on the mask is carried as a trophy of that battle. The flower bird form is associated with power and fame, and it is one of the Raksha masks still made in the carving workshops of Ambalangoda. See also the Raja Gurulu and Gurulu Raksha masks.
Sizes. From 15 cm (6 in) to 50 cm (20 in) tall. Each is carved and painted by hand, so no two match exactly.
