🗿MASKS ART OF SRI LANKA

 During the prehistoric ages, in countries such as Japan, Korea, India, and Sri Lanka, there is evidence that tribal people used masks. They used their masks to protect from animals, to intimidate them, and to perform various religious rituals. 

Traditional Masks in Sri Lanka

 The old artists used wood, such as "Rukattana" and "Erabadu" and the most commonly "Kaduru" wood to craft the masks.  Below are a few different types of masks. King faces "Raksha" mask (cobra, guruluraksha) "Kolam"(funny) faces "Sanni" masks    

 Coloring the Masks

 The color applicator for masks is commonly called the painter. Before painting, the white spider clay is coated  Today, white emulsion paints are used instead of spider clay. After that, let it dry slightly and then color it as needed. The masks are then applied "Suwada Latu" and "Dorana" oil to protect them from moisture. As some of the natural ingredients that the old artist used to paint masks

*Red - "Sadlingam"

* Yellow - "Hirigal" 

*White - spider clay("Makulu Mati") 

* Purple- "Bovitia"  

 can be mentioned.  Small masks are called "Keta Muhunu"(cubes faces). Germany, England, America, and Australia are the countries with the most masked collections in Sri Lanka. Famous areas for masks in Sri Lanka 

* Benthara

* Ambalangoda

* Mirissa 

* Gampaha