Sri Lanka is a country that boasts of a rich arts and crafts history. Arts and crafts have played a large part in the lives of Sri Lankans throughout history. The arts from various regions of the country are significantly different to each other. With Kandyan style of art being different to those from the low country. If you’re visiting Sri Lanka and souvenir shopping, one thing that should definitely be included in your list is the mask. The colourful masks that are available in Sri Lanka are unique to the island and the place that specialises in this type of mask production is, Ambalangoda- Located on the Southern Coast of the country.
Though Ambalangoda is out of Colombo and its plethora of accommodation options, you can find many a boutique hotel in Sri Lanka concentrated in this area. For those who are looking for that extra bit of pampering, these type of hotels are an excellent option. Among such hotels in the South, one that has been highly praised in the past is River House Balapitiya that’s located about 10 minutes from Ambalangoda’s famous mask museum, the Ariyapala Masks Museum.
As mentioned earlier, the mask making capital of Sri Lanka is not too far from Balapitiya. The masks are worn in traditional dance performances however over the years they have also evolved into ornamental pieces. There is a private mask Museum in Ambalangoda. There are three types of masked dances that are performed. The kolam dances are typically storytelling performances. The other type of dances are the Raksha masked performances which are used in possessions and festivals. Masks are also used in traditional curing ceremonies.
The minute detailing of the masks are mostly hand made and some of the pigments used in the mask making are natural pigments. There are also puppets that are made in the same premises such as the masks. If you want to take something back from Sri Lanka that is truly unique as a gift or a memorabilia, these masks would be an excellent choice.
Filled with wanderlust that seeks to explore distant shores and captivated by the colors and vibrancy of exotic cultures, Melissa Somawardana, concealed under the name of Kanya Mae, writes on the beautiful, exciting, and enchanting wonders of the world. She is a writer who not only has a passion for travel, but also has a background in fashion, art and media.
