STORIES BEHIND THE MASKS
In this modern era ruled by technology, if a man or woman picks up a pen and writes a book on masks, there is a high possibility of that book never leaving the bookshops or the bookshelves. That is the bizarre society we are living in today. Yet, the book Sinhala Wesmuhuna (Sinhalese Masks) written by veteran journalist Kariyawasam G.G.Dayananda and published by Godage Publications is an exception which reveals the history behind the Sinhala masks. It is a book, which highlights the legends and mysteries behind the Sinhala masks. In a cruel society, where people use masks as a decorator in their everyday lives (to hide their true feelings and to deceive others), Kariyawasam has made a genuine effort to reveal the real history, myths and legends behind the Sinhala masks. The Daily Mirror met Kariyawasam G.G. Dayananda and had an interesting chat about the significance of masks in the present and past societies of Sri Lanka. Q: What made you want to write a book on Sri Lankan masks?
I am a resident of Ambalangoda which is a cultural zone in Sri Lanka. During my childhood I experienced devil dancing (thovil), cultural art forms (kolam), puppetry, cultural parades, traditional art forms danced to invoke blessings of the gods (Gam Madu) and many other such cultural annual celebrations. And in many of these art forms I witnessed how masks were used. So I had a natural interest towards masks from my childhood onwards. And I learned how Sri Lankan masks are being used for purposes of entertainment and as a means to cure sicknesses: I guess all of these experiences prompted me to write a book on Sri Lankan masks. Q: You mentioned that sicknesses were cured using masks. Do you believe that masks have such powers as to cure people?
A lot of people depended on these rituals and customs in the past for medical purposes. Blessed threads were also worn around people’s necks or wrists. It is true because people were cured from certain ailments through these practices. Q: So you believe that there is some sort of truth behind such actions? Yes. Because otherwise it would not have worked and people would not have got cured. People were cured from ailments such as fever and terror by using masks and through other such practices. Q: Then why
Masks are a national heritage in our country and Sri Lankan masks are world-renowned artistic creations. The whole world has been fascinated by our masks because of their creativity and artistry. In countries such as Czechoslovakia, Germany, France many details about Sri Lankan masks are written in stheir books.
do many devil dances and other such actions fail to bring any solutions to the public today?
That is because those cultural practices are not practised today properly using the proper herbs, plants and other essential items. Native doctors also incorporated into these practices by giving the patients medicine during the cultural performances. Usually the doctors presented the medicine which was chanted by the performers in the cultural dances. Even to make a mask, there is an auspicious time for the chopping of the tree and other customs, such as narrating lines of poetry (Abum kavi) before the cutting of the tree. Q: But in today’s society do you think that many people believe in the evil effects of the spirits?
No today many people have come out of those beliefs. For example in the present era people are not afraid to build houses in a cemetery and to live there. Q: What sort of consideration do you think masks are given in the present society?
Masks are a national heritage in our country and Sri Lankan masks are world-renowned artistic creations. The whole world has been fascinated by our masks because of their creativity and artistry. In countries such as Czechoslovakia, Germany, France many details about Sri Lankan masks are written in their books. In Sri Lankan masks there is a story behind each and every mask and a mystery that is waiting to be unfolded. Q: How do you feel about masks becoming a commercial item in the present society?
Unfortunately today masks are being created only with the purpose of making money. That is why I wrote this book against it where I have objected to masks being used as commercial items in the society. If masks are made according to the proper traditional system they can remain for hundreds of years without getting damaged. That is why today there are still Sri Lankan masks in France, Czechoslovakia and England museums. Q: According to your book there are about 1500 Sri Lankan masks in European countries. Why haven’t any efforts been made to reclaim those masks?
Under the non-alliance agreement Sri Lanka asked for these masks. But those countries refused to give them. However they have allowed Sri Lankans to conduct researches on such masks.