A sourced illustration has not yet been added. This gap is included in the coverage record.
Overview
The Smithsonian’s identified Kalu Kumara mask has a green face, bulging eyes, a yellow-and-red crown and a large red mouth with white teeth and fangs. A human head with represented dripping blood emerges from the mouth. The object was collected in Sri Lanka in 1981–1982 and accessioned in 1989.
The catalogue attributes the association with women’s illness and infertility specifically to the donor. These are the recorded ritual interpretation and appearance of one mask, rather than a medical explanation or an independently established account of every regional performance.
Origins & earliest records
Sri Lankan performed beings
Records & interpretation
Identified custodial object record and attributed interpretation read.
Selected bibliography
Documented works and useful reading. This is not a list of every appearance.
- 01
Mask, Devil Dance, Kalu Kumara
nmnhanthropology_8457154; object or collection date kept distinct from tradition origin.
Family & connections
A source-supported family tree or inspiration record has not yet been compiled for this profile. Related reading below indicates a connection in subject matter, not a proven lineage or creative influence.
Primary records and illustrations
Mask, Devil Dance, Kalu Kumara
Identified museum collection. nmnhanthropology_8457154
Full indexed Smithsonian object metadata read; current direct-page retrieval unavailable. Object identification and donor interpretation explicit; image bytes not inspected.
References
Sources supporting this profile. Linked pages have their own scope and editorial standards.
- Museum or custodial collection recordMask, Devil Dance, Kalu Kumara — custodial recordResearch access: 2026-10-05
Image credits
A sourced illustration has not yet been added. This gap is included in the coverage record.
