Review

Kolam of Ambalangoda and Ariyapala clan

Harbingers of the tradition

By Ranga CHANDRARATHNE

Over six generations, the clan of Ariyapala in the Southern coastal township of Ambalangoda have been preserving and passing on the tradition of Kolam which is unique to the area, to the posterity. Following the demise of Ariyadasa Gurunnanse who was famous for preserving the tradition of carving out masks, the present members of the clan including his eldest son Bandu Wijesooriya single-handedly carries on the tradition braving the tempest of socio-economic changes brought about by modernity. In recognition of unique contribution by the clan, Germany has gifted a museum of masks and institute for preserving Kolam. Young members of the clan like Rukmal Wijesooriya and Amaka Wijesooriya, representing the seventh generation, stand out for their dedication and commitment to preserving this inimitable tradition of Kolam which , for them, is a way of life.

Kolam performer

The performers with wooden masks had descended on the stage in specially constructed hut known as Kolam Maduwa. They danced before an eager audience.

For it was a rare occasion when the Kolam Maduwa was recently held in Ambalangoda. The spectators were virtually taken by surprise as the performers of Kolam enacted different scenes wearing Kolam masks.

Men and women behind the performance and the Kolam Maduwa were none other than the members of the Ariyapala clan and students of the Kalayathanaya (Institute of Kolam dance).

Though origin of Kolam is, by now, untraceable, this unique form of mask dance has settled down along the Southern coastal line during the British occupation of Sri Lanka. At first Kolam assumes a ritualistic form which is enacted about one and half day in a specifically constructed hut known as Kolam Maduwa. A significant aspect of Kolam is that each and every performer wears a mask and the story often depicts the socio-economic set up of the colonial era. According to the tradition, Kolam dance is performed in a Kolam Maduwa specially constructed with special foliage. Diverse acts of Kolam are performed over a period of one and half days.

The legend says that Kolam dance originated with an irresistible craving of a powerful queen to watch a mask dancing when she was pregnant. The queen's desire was so intense that she eventually became sick. So the king pleaded with god Sakkra to solve this predicament. God Sakkra hearing the plea, had dropped masks and text in the garden. So, accordingly the first ever Kolam dance was performed. Traditional Kolam Maduwa concludes with Gara Yaka's arrival dispeling all the evil influences on the spectators. Among the famous Kolam, Nonchi Kolama, Raja Thunkatuwa, Badadaru Kolam, Parangi Kolam and Kapiri Kolama are prominent.

Mask Museum

Perhaps, the most significant contribution by Ariyapala clan to the preservation of the Kolam is the Museum of Masks and library which will preserve the rich tradition handed down from generation to generation.

The Museum depicts the richness of the mask tradition of Ambalangoda and cultural heritage of Kolam masks. The museum, the workshop and the small library (containing all available anthropological literature on masks performances) serve as a centre for traditional arts and crafts and for research on Kolam and Masks.

The Kalayathanaya (Institute for Kolam dance) is run by Kanchana Wijesooriya and Maheshika Wijesooriya, daughters of late Ariyapala Gurunnase who was famous for carving out exquisite Kolam Masks. Which play a major role in Kolam performance Masks are made out of soft wood from the Kaduru tree which grows near paddy fields. After carving out the mask, it is treated and dried up so that the Kolam mask will last for over 150 years. Mahinda Wijesooriya's son Rukmal Wijesooriya and Hadananda Wijesooriya's son Amalka Wijesooriya who are engaged in the Kolam Mduwa represent the seventh generation of the clan. Lack of state patronage and the cost incurred in conducting Kolam Maduwa and performances are some of the constraints they face against preserving this unique tradition.