Varanasi history related to Lord Shiva:

Varanasi is the holy city of Lord Shiva and has become one of the seven sacred cities of Hindus. The city has been described in many Hindu scriptures such as Rigveda, Skanda Purana, Ramayana, and Mahabharata. According to the Legends, Varanasi is about 3000 years old and known as the oldest city in the world. Varanasi is the center of industries and famous for a variety of work such as muslin, silk fabrics, perfumes, ivory works as well as sculpture. Varanasi was the capital of Kingdom of Kashi at the time of Gautama Buddha.

Wooden Masks and ornaments are produced in the South western coastal belt of Sri Lanka. The city of South costal has a long heritage in the specialized handicraft of producing Wooden mask & ornaments. Wooden crafts in a wide range of sizes in vibrant colors are made of the timber locally called “Kaluwara”  (Ebony), Mahogainy (Rose wood) or ‘Kaduru”.  Kaduru tree that grows in marshy lands bordering paddy fields is light and soft making it an ideal material to turn out wooden handy crafts.  Mahoginy (Rose wood) and Kaluwara (Ebony) are expensive wood and it is a special wood.

The technique of producing masks has been passed from generation to generation from the ancient times. The logs are dried in the hard tropical sun till the timber is evaporated the moisture and then cut into pieces of the required sizes.

Then the basic shape of the craft is fashioned by means of chisels and mallets out of the cut piece of the log accordingly to the measurements given in ancient recorded instructions of seasoning the timber. The seasoned piece of timber is carved, smoothened and painted. The Wooden craft has it’s each with its distinctive features and colors, are carved to depict gods, humans, demons and beasts.

Carved wooden furniture and household items is also a popular buy amongst locals and foreigners alike.                                          

The masks displayed here are modern, carved from a soft wood that is similar to balsa wood.

Made out of Sri Lankan fine wood.

Dimensions (inch) (W x H):  3  x  7