Inside Ambalangoda's Mask Workshops
Ambalangoda's legacy is etched in kaduru wood. In narrow, sunlit workshops, master artisans transform pale blocks into riotous masks that have danced through Sri Lankan folklore for centuries. Each groove, each splash of vermilion, tells a story of healers, tricksters, demons, and deities.
Begin your visit at the Ariyapala & Sons workshop where you can trace the process from raw timber to lacquered masterpiece. The scent of cinnamon and natural pigments fills the air as apprentices polish delicate features - a raised brow for mischief, a twisted tongue for the fearsome Kola Sanniya.
What to Look For
- Kolam masks, which accompany comedic folk theatre narrating village life.
- Sanni masks, used in healing rituals to ward away specific ailments.
- Raksha masks, vibrant guardians often placed above doorways for protection.
Artisans eagerly explain the symbolism within every carving, from protective Raksha smiles to playful Kolam expressions. End the tour at the Mask Museum cafe with a toddy-infused iced tea while you journal the legends you've learned.
"Every mask has a heartbeat. You feel it once the final layer of lacquer dries."
- Master artisan Senaka Wijesena
