Myra Wykes Rigor Selvadurai Collection
Abstract
Myra Wykes Rigor Selvadurai (1936-2012) was a performer, researcher, art therapist and Fulbright Scholar specializing in the indigenous artistic forms of Sri Lanka. The collection consists of books, posters, postcards, statues, masks, instruments, costumes, and jewelry from her time in Sri Lanka.
Important Information for Users of the Collection
There are no restricted files in this collection.
Myra Wykes Rigor Selvadurai Collection, Special Collections, University of Maryland Libraries.
Materials from this collection must be used in the Michelle Smith Performing Arts Library's Irving and Margery Morgan Lowens Special Collections Room, 10:00 am to 5:00 pm, Monday through Friday. Contact the curator for an appointment: http://www.lib.umd.edu/scpa/contact
This collection is PROCESSED.
Historical Note
Myra Wykes Rigor Selvadurai (1936-2012) was a performer, researcher, artist and Fulbright Scholar specializing in the indigenous artistic forms of Sri Lanka.
She was born in Haddon Heights, New Jersey and attended The University of Maryland, College Park where she obtained the first undergraduate degree majoring in dance. Furthering her studies, she also earned an MFA in Dance and Related Arts from The Womens College of the University of North Carolina in 1961.
A Fulbright Scholarship in 1965 took her to Sri Lanka where she was immersed in the local arts including dance, Batik weaving, and puppetry. She also undertook oil painting as well as art therapy work later in her life.
Scope and Contents of the Collection
The Myra Wykes Rigor Selvadurai Collection covers the period from 1959 to 2012; the bulk of the materials date from 1965 to 1970. The collection consists mainly of personal possessions; much of them relating to her time spent in Sri Lanka. This includes books, posters, postcards, statues, masks, instruments, costumes, and jewelry. The Collection is arranged into series by the types of materials with almost the entirety of the contents being related, in some way, to Sri Lankan culture with the exception of the biographical materials.
Custodial History and Acquisition Information
This collection was given to the School of Theatre, Dance and Performance Studies at the University of Maryland in 2012 and transferred to the Special Collections in Performing Arts.
Processing Information
Processed by Sarah Lindblom, June 2012
EAD markup created using EAD database in Microsoft Access. Markup completed by Nicole Horstman, November 2012.
Arrangement of Collection
This collection is arranged into five series.
Detailed Description of the Collection
Series 1: Biographical Materials, 1959-2012 (.25 linear feet)
This series contains scan of Selvadurais University of Maryland senior yearbook photo, commencement program entry, MFA thesis, and obituary.
| Description | Series | Box / Reel | Folder / Frame | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| UMD Information Class of 1959, 1959 | series 1 | box 1 | folder 1 | |
| MFA Thesis Some Processes Used in Choreography, 1961 | series 1 | box 1 | folder 2 | |
| Obituary, 2012 | series 1 | box 1 | folder 3 | |
Series 2: Instruments, 1965-1975 (3.50 linear feet)
This series contains various musical instruments such as bell greaves, drums, fans and tambourines used in Sri Lankan theatre and dance.
| Description | Series | Box / Reel | Folder / Frame | Item | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Instruments, 1965-1975 | series 2 | box 2 | folder 1 | ||
| 11 tambourines, each with 5 cymbals, undated | series 2 | box 2 | folder 1 | item 1.0 | |
| Instruments, 1965-1975 | series 2 | box 3 | folder 1 | ||
| 2 Round, skin drums, undated | series 2 | box 3 | folder 1 | item 1.0 | |
| Small wooden drum with skin top and wooden insert, undated | series 2 | box 3 | folder 1 | item 2.0 | |
| 2 Bell greaves to strap onto legs or arms, undated | series 2 | box 3 | folder 1 | item 3.0 | |
| 1 Zill, undated | series 2 | box 3 | folder 1 | item 4.0 | |
| Instruments, 1965-1975 | series 2 | box 4 | folder 1 | ||
| Two-sided drum, undated | series 2 | box 4 | folder 1 | item 1.0 | |
| Round drum, undated | series 2 | box 4 | folder 1 | item 2.0 | |
| 2 tambourines each with 5 cymbals, undated | series 2 | box 4 | folder 1 | item 3.0 | |
| 1 tambourine/drum with 1 cymbal, undated | series 2 | box 4 | folder 1 | item 4.0 | |
| 2 ankle bell straps, undated | series 2 | box 4 | folder 1 | item 5.0 | |
| 2 arm bell straps, undated | series 2 | box 4 | folder 1 | item 6.0 | |
| 6 brass bracelets, undated | series 2 | box 4 | folder 1 | item 7.0 | |
| 4 oval-shaped bell shakers, undated | series 2 | box 4 | folder 1 | item 8.0 | |
| Instruments, 1965-1975 | series 2 | box 9 | folder 1 | ||
| Puili Stick, undated | series 2 | box 9 | folder 1 | item 1.0 | |
Series 3: Books and Posters, 1955-1996 and undated (1.00 linear foot)
This series contains collected books, postcards, and posters relating to Sri Lankan dance, theatre and tourism.
| Description | Series | Box / Reel | Folder / Frame | Item | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Books and Posters, 1965-1975 | series 3 | box 5 | folder 1 | ||
| Serial: Serendib: the magazine of Air Lanka. Vol. 4, Issue 3., July-Sept. 1985 | series 3 | box 5 | folder 1 | item 1.0 | |
| Serial: Impulse: Annual of Contemporary Dance. 2 copies., 1967 | series 3 | box 5 | folder 1 | item 2.0 | |
| Book: Madden, Dorothy. You Call me Louis, not Mr. Horst. Amsterdam: Overseas Publishers Association, 1996. Signed by the author., 1996 | series 3 | box 5 | folder 1 | item 3.0 | |
| Book: Sarachchandra, E. R. The Folk Drama of Ceylon. Ceylon: Department of Cultural Affairs, 1966. Signed by the author., 1966 | series 3 | box 5 | folder 1 | item 4.0 | |
| Book: De Zoete, Beryl. Dance and Magic Drama in Ceylon. London: Faber and Faber Limited, 1957 | series 3 | box 5 | folder 1 | item 5.0 | |
| Book: Tilakasiri, J. Puppetry in Ceylon. Ceylon: Department of Cultural Affairs, 1961 | series 3 | box 5 | folder 1 | item 6.0 | |
| Book: Louden, Claire and George Louden. Far into the Night: A Story of Bal.New York: Charles Scribners Sons, 1955. Signed by Selvadurai., 1955 | series 3 | box 5 | folder 1 | item 7.0 | |
| Book: Keuneman, Herbert. Ceylon in Pictures. Ceylon: Ceylon Tourist Board, 1970 | series 3 | box 5 | folder 1 | item 8.0 | |
| Brochure: Ceylon, Polonnaruwa: Majestic Mediaeval Capital, undated | series 3 | box 5 | folder 1 | item 9.0 | |
| Brochure: Ceylon, Festivals, undated | series 3 | box 5 | folder 1 | item 10.0 | |
| Brochure: Ceylon, Kandy, undated | series 3 | box 5 | folder 1 | item 11.0 | |
| Brochure: Nepal, 1966 | series 3 | box 5 | folder 1 | item 12.0 | |
| Postcard: to Myra Selvadurai, March 4, 1977 | series 3 | box 5 | folder 1 | item 13.0 | |
| Photo: Mr. and Mrs. Anthony Selvadurai, U.S.A and Ceylon. Anthony wearing wooden mask of demon eating a baby, undated | series 3 | box 5 | folder 1 | item 14.0 | |
| Book: The Regional Folk Dances of Thailand. Compiled by: Mom Dusdi Paribatra Na Ayuthya. Illustrated by: Choompol Trikruthbandhu. The Foundation for the Advancement of Educational Materials, 1962. One side in English, one side in Thai. Accordion style., 1962 | series 3 | box 5 | folder 1 | item 15.0 | |
| Book: Dhanapala, D.B., ed. The Story of Sinhalese Painting. Ceylon: Saman Press, 1957. Signed by the author., 1957 | series 3 | box 5 | folder 1 | item 16.0 | |
| Bamboo fan, engraved, tied with green string, undated | series 3 | box 5 | folder 1 | item 17.0 | |
| Books and Posters [map case], undated | series 3 | box 5 | folder 2 | ||
| Posters: Man, woman and child in costume [map case], undated | series 3 | box 5 | folder 2 | item 1.0 | |
| Posters: Woman in costume [map case], undated | series 3 | box 5 | folder 2 | item 2.0 | |
| Posters: Two women in costume [map case], undated | series 3 | box 5 | folder 2 | item 3.0 | |
Series 4: Costumes and Jewelry, undated (1.00 linear foot)
This series contains 3 complete costumes, assorted accessories, and jewelry used in indigenous Sri Lankan theatre and dance.
| Description | Series | Box / Reel | Folder / Frame | Item | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Costumes and Jewelry, 1965-1975 | series 4 | box 6 | folder 1 | ||
| Ring with blue god, undated | series 4 | box 6 | folder 1 | item 1.0 | |
| 2 three-tiered earrings, undated | series 4 | box 6 | folder 1 | item 2.0 | |
| 2 bracelets, undated | series 4 | box 6 | folder 1 | item 3.0 | |
| 5 necklaces, undated | series 4 | box 6 | folder 1 | item 4.0 | |
| 2 bell anklets, undated | series 4 | box 6 | folder 1 | item 5.0 | |
| Fuzzy hat, undated | series 4 | box 6 | folder 1 | item 6.0 | |
| Sash, blue and gold, undated | series 4 | box 6 | folder 1 | item 7.0 | |
| Crescent-shaped red and yellow-orange headpiece, undated | series 4 | box 6 | folder 1 | item 8.0 | |
| Yellow-orange wrap, undated | series 4 | box 6 | folder 1 | item 9.0 | |
| Orange and white shirt with silver-gold trim, undated | series 4 | box 6 | folder 1 | item 10.0 | |
| White apron with red trim, undated | series 4 | box 6 | folder 1 | item 11.0 | |
| White silk shirt with red and blue trim, undated | series 4 | box 6 | folder 1 | item 12.0 | |
| Orange loincloth with silver trim, undated | series 4 | box 6 | folder 1 | item 13.0 | |
| Red and silver loincloth with red pom-poms, undated | series 4 | box 6 | folder 1 | item 14.0 | |
| Red band with silver trim and red pom-poms, undated | series 4 | box 6 | folder 1 | item 15.0 | |
| Purple wrap with yellow and black trim, undated | series 4 | box 6 | folder 1 | item 16.0 | |
| White silk wrap with red, black and silver trim, undated | series 4 | box 6 | folder 1 | item 17.0 | |
| White silk pants, undated | series 4 | box 6 | folder 1 | item 18.0 | |
| White silk apron with gold trim, undated | series 4 | box 6 | folder 1 | item 19.0 | |
Series 5: Statues and Masks, undated (2.00 linear feet)
This series contains three wooden statues and one mask; presumably collected during Selvadurais time studying indigenous dance and theatre in Sri Lanka.
| Description | Series | Box / Reel | Folder / Frame | Item | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Statues and Masks, 1965-1975 | series 5 | box 7 | folder 1 | ||
| Wooden statue of a dragon with a moveable tail, undated | series 5 | box 7 | folder 1 | item 1.0 | |
| Wooden statue of a painted demon with a long tongue, undated | series 5 | box 7 | folder 1 | item 2.0 | |
| Wooden statue of a blue-painted demon, undated | series 5 | box 7 | folder 1 | item 3.0 | |
| Statues and Masks, 1965-1975 | series 5 | box 8 | folder 1 | ||
| Wooden mask of a demon eating a baby (ears removed, screws placed in envelope), undated | series 5 | box 8 | folder 1 | item 1.0 | |
Related Material
Entries for Myra Wykes Rigor can also be found in The University of Marylands scanned online yearbook and commencement program from 1959.
For other related archival and manuscript collections, please see the following subject guides.