Gara yaka’s letter to the Island of October 6 was very interesting reading.

In the daha ata paliya [l8 appearances] according to Dr. Sarachchandra’s book "The Folk Drama of Ceylon" the exorcist [kattadiya] assumes, in turn, the guise of the various demons of the group, and wears a mask which represents the likeness of the particular demon. Each demon - here the kattadiya - behaves as if he is afflicted with the particular disease which he is believed to inflict upon mortals. Kana Sanniya is blind, and Golu Sanniya is dumb, Maru Sanniya acts like a raving madman.

And as the saying goes honda honda natum elivena yameta [better performances are in the dawn].
Kalu Kumara
Colombo 7