Kala Hina Item Number: 3392/29 from the MOA: University of British Columbia
Description
A watercolour painting which depicts a spiritual being with a four-legged animal crouching at its feet. The being has bright yellow skin. It is wearing a brown skirt that ends just below the knee and curls outward at the hip. The bottom of the skirt has a border made up of white, yellow, blue, and black horizontal stripes. The main body of the skirt is covered in thinner horizontal stripes, and consists of two pieces which come together in the front. A long, piece of fabric hangs down from the waist. Adornments are wrapped around the being's chest and neck. Decorative bands encircle its biceps, wrists, and ankles. The being has large, round eyes and a grinning fanged mouth. It is wearing a headpiece that comes to a point on both sides. Two large discs protrude from the sides of its head. The being is holding a large fork-like object in one hand, and an oblong grey object in the other. The animal at its feet is white, and has a long face, round back, and short mane and tail. The background of the painting is blue, and a rectangular black border surrounds the image. White and blue oblong rings radiate from the being's head and shoulders.
History Of Use
The imagery is possibly associated with ritual healing in Sri Lanka. The set of watercolours (3392/3-34) is said to depict spirits that inhabit planets, or deviyo (minor gods) or rakshas and yakkas (evil or mischievous beings). These beings are often depicted in masked dances and exorcisms.
Narrative
The collector, Dr. Michael Egan, wrote his doctoral thesis on healing rituals in Sri Lanka. His fieldwork was carried out in the south of Sri Lanka, in the village of Kadurupokuna (Hambantota District), between Sept. 1965 and Nov. 1966.
Item History
- Made in Sri Lanka between 1960 and 1966
- Collected between 1965 and 1966
- Owned by Michael John Egan before 1977
- Owned by Carol Egan before October 2, 2019
- Received from Carol Egan (Donor) on October 2, 2019
What
- Name
- Kala Hina
- Identification Number
- 3392/29
- Type of Item
- painting
- Overall
- height 37.3 cm, width 27.3 cm
Who
- Culture
- Sinhalese
- Previous Owner
- Michael John Egan and Carol Egan
- Received from
- Carol Egan (Donor)
Where
- Holding Institution
- MOA: University of British Columbia
- Made in
- Sri Lanka
When
- Creation Date
- between 1960 and 1966
- Collection Date
- between 1965 and 1966
- Ownership Date
- before 1977 and before October 2, 2019
- Acquisition Date
- on October 2, 2019
Other
- Item Classes
- paintings; works on paper
- Condition
- good
- Accession Number
- 3392/0029