Sokari cultural drama

Sokari cultural drama 

 

 

 Sokari, Kolam and Nadagam are most popular cultural dramas in Sri Lanka. From these, Sokari is the most popular, because it was very close to the day today life of villagers. This is an independent cultural event which is also conducted to bless the people. The main purpose of performing this drama is give priority to the religious connection between people, bring prosperity and provide some fun to the people.

 This drama is very popular in hill country areas such as Matale, Badulla and Haguranketha. Its origin differs from province to province.

Whatever, commonly the story off sokari as,

In the country named Kasi, there was a beautiful women sokari. King Werabahu and queen Vimala are the parents of sokari. King Werabahu exiled his daughter from his country. And after she got married with baron named Aadi(Guruhami). Both of them have two servants Kaali and Pariya. After marriage they started moving country to country to search a job.

At some point they decided to come to “Sinhala Deshaya” (Sri Lanka). They left their home at an auspicious time and after passing seven oceans, arrived in Sri Lanka.

They went to village named Thambaravita where they decided to settle down and build a house. Then, Guruhami went to the village in search of some rice, but he didn’t know the language, he face lot of difficulties. However he fined some rice. But there was no water to cook it. Thus, he had to go to village again. This time a dog which lived in house of the village doctor bit Guruhami. He somehow managed to come home. He lay down and rested a while. Pariya, who taught that Guruhami was dead, tried to use opportunity to get closer to Sokari. Sokari got angry with Pariya and ordered to call the doctor.

When Pariya went to the doctor, the doctor refused to pay a visit unless Sokari herself came and asked him to see the patient. Then, Sokari went and brought the doctor. The doctor treated Guruhami until midnight, and left the house with Sokari at down. Guruhami, went to doctor’s house and fetch the sokari again. And after they borrow a land from the doctor. And they build a home. After they going to worship Sri Pada. During this tour Sokari having a baby. After they left home. The end of the drama they cook a milk rice, middle of the Kamata (in the faddy field). 

Main purpose of acting the drama,

Protecting from epidemic, Ritual the village

Only men are participating to act this drama, because it is a ritual of god (Paththini Deviya).

Sokari is a very interesting cultural drama which was staged more often during the good old days. But it is very rarely seen now a days. Therefore we wont to protect and continue them to future. 

Traditional Mask Industry in Sri Lanka

Traditional Mask Industry in Sri Lanka

A mask is an 

“Object normally worn on the face typically for protection disguise, performance entertainment”

Traditional mask industry is very famous industry in Sri Lanka, mainly western costal involving mask industry. Ambalangoda   very famous town for the making mask industry, and also Wathugedara   and Benthota a as well as some part along the western coast. The history of masks that are unique to Sri Lanka, in ancient time not having proper health system therefore they used mask for their health purposes ex: “Kohobhakankari santhi karmaya, Devill dance” etc. The timber that is used to  make these decorative and colorful masterpieces should always be light and durable and therefore trees such as “ Rukkaththana and Diyakadura ’’ are  used for making  masks.

      There are different types of mask categories, that’s are                            

1.      Raksha mask ( used to perform raksh dance in kolam maduwa )

Naga Raksha (cobra mask)

Maru Raksha (mask of the demon of death)

Gurulu Raksha (mask of the bird)

Rathnakuta Raksha

Purnaka Raksha  

2.      Sanni  mask (These are used to treat illnesses while there are 18 sanni masks in used )

1.      Deva Sanniya – causes measles, mumps, small pox, typhoid fever and cholera.

2.      Vata Saniya -  causes diseases caused by air in the body ,also paralyses

3.      Pith Sanniya – causes diseases of the bile.

4.      Amukku Sanniya – causes stomach pain vomiting.

5.      Naga Sanniya – the vision of the demon causes poison like cobra poison in the body blister, swellings.

6.      Ginijala Sanniya – causes heat similar to fire in the body and burning sensation.

7.      Selesma Sanniya - causes headache overproduction.

8.      Kapala Sanniya   - causes phlegm , cough , sneezing

9.      Maru Sanniya      – causes the fear of the death, also death  a

10.  Kadawata Snniya – is trying to s down the barriers which sueparate him from the patient.

11.  Kora Sanniya – causes lame limbs swollen  joints

12.  Buhutu Sanniya - cause temporary madness.

13.  Kana Sanniya – causes temporary blindness.

14.  Jala Sanniya – cause unbearable clod and shivering.

15.  Bihiri Sanniya – causes temporary deafness 

16.  Golu Sanniya – causes temporary dumbness

17.  Vevulum Sanniya – causes shivering and fits.

18.  Gedi Sanniya – causes furuncles

3.      Kolam mask (this types is used mainly in drama while popular kolam masks are lenchinaa and Jasaya.

 Masks industry in Sri Lanka very unique industry. And also we can show our culture and handicraft for the world ……..