The Human Face of a Demon - By Dana De Silva

Written By: Dana De Silva

Category: Creative Non-Fiction

Competition: Global Poetry and Creative Writing Competition 2026

Dana De Silva brings us into the captivating world of Sri Lankan folklore with "The Human Face of a Demon," a submission in the Creative Non-Fiction category for the Global Poetry and Creative Writing Competition 2026. De Silva's narrative weaves a rich tapestry of myth and reality, inviting readers to explore the dark corners of culture and memory. This tale is a compelling exploration of the supernatural, showcasing the deep-rooted traditions of storytelling that echo through generations.

About the Work

This piece delves into the chilling yet absurdly human story of Maha Sona, a haunting figure from Sri Lankan folklore. De Silva's work is steeped in Gothic horror, effectively blending fear with dark humor. The narrative captures the complexity of Maha Sona, a monstrous yet pitiful figure, and reveals the contradictions that make him both terrifying and oddly relatable. Through vivid imagery and a keen sense of cultural nuance, the story engages readers in a way that is both unsettling and enlightening.

The Human Face of a Demon

Original Submission by Dana De Silva

The Human Face of a Demon

“Sit close, child,” the old voice croaked, firelight dancing in her hollow eyes. “Long ago, in the shadows of the jungle, there was a man who was strong, proud and betrayed. They say he died screaming, his head torn from his body. But death could not hold him.” Her voice dropped to a whisper. “Now, they call him Maha Sona. He walks with the head of a bear and the rage of a thousand curses. If you hear his footsteps behind you at night, don’t turn around. He chooses the curious first.” The wind howled through the trees as if echoing his name. “This is no bedtime tale, my dear. This is the blood-soaked truth that stains our soil.”

As a child growing up in Sri Lanka, the nights were filled with horrors of our folklore, woven together by my grandmother's captivating storytelling. Her tales, brimming with mystery and a touch of humor, transported me to a world where the supernatural danced with the mundane. One story that left an indelible mark on my young mind was that of Maha Sona, a tale that blended fear and fascination.

Maha Sona is the embodiment of Gothic horror in Sri Lankan folklore. A once-mortal man twisted into a monstrous revenant by unnatural resurrection. Once the mighty warrior Ritigala Jayasena, his story ends in a graveyard duel where he is decapitated, and from there, something far more chilling begins. A god’s desperate attempt to bring him back goes horrifyingly wrong where Jayasena rises again, but with the backward-facing head of a bear crudely sewn onto his body. This fusion of man and beast becomes a creature that roams shadowed cemeteries and forsaken crossroads, carrying the eerie silence of the in-between.

What makes Maha Sona so haunting is not only his horrific appearance, but the cursed limbo he inhabits where he is neither fully dead nor alive. He doesn’t just kill, he brings disease and madness, like a walking plague forged in myth. Maha Sona is a tragic figure as much as he is a terrifying one. His story chills the blood because it reminds us that the worst horrors are born not always from evil, but from a single moment where everything goes irreversibly wrong.

But here's the twist that always made my grandmother chuckle while telling me the story. Despite his fearsome reputation, he had a penchant for the finer things in life. It was said that when he appeared in human form, he would indulge in jovial activities such as playing cards, feasting on meat and even engaging in lively conversations. The exorcists, belonging to the Berawaya caste, would humor him, treating him as a guest rather than a demon. They would joke with him and play games throughout the night until the first light of dawn, after which Maha Sohona would vanish, leaving the afflicted person cured by morning. This unexpected connection between humans and a demon was both surprising and, in my grandmother's animated retelling, downright hilarious.

“Long ago, my child, the Berawaya folk had a strange way of healing the sick. They’d laugh into the night and call out to Maha Sona like he was some old drinking buddy, saying, “Come, Maha Sona, take him if you dare!” Foolish, foolish people. Sometimes the sick got better, as if the demon was too insulted to bother. But other times, he came, angry and starving and by sunrise, there was nothing left but ashes. That’s why, child, we never speak his name after dark, not unless you want to hear him laughing back.”

Hooked onto the chilling story, I would sit wide-eyed, hanging on to every word, especially the parts where the exorcists would "party" with Maha Sona. My grandmother's impersonations of the demon's gruff voice had me in stitches. She would often pause, look at me with a mischievous glint in her eye, and say, "Even demons need a little fun now and then, don't you think?"

I chose to tell the story of Maha Sona not just because it is a classical horror story, but because it feels like a story that belongs to me and to every Sri Lankan child who grew up listening to whispered tales by the glow of a kerosene lamp. There’s something deeply personal about folklore, it’s not just history or myth, it’s memory. Maha Sona, with his haunted presence, captures that perfect gothic balance of tragedy and terror. But it was never just about the fear. It was the way the story curled at the edges with absurdity and dark humor that truly stuck in my mind. That blend, the horrifying and the hilarious, is very uniquely Sri Lankan. It’s why, even as the demon lurks in the mist, there’s a part of us that laughs, nervously but genuinely, at the sheer strangeness of it all.

Most people outside Sri Lanka, even many within, do not know about the bizarrely human side of Maha Sona. That, beneath the myth of the monstrous graveyard demon, lies the image of a slightly ridiculous guest at a supernatural dinner party, gambling and gossiping until sunrise. I included that part not just to surprise, but because I think that twist makes the legend more powerful. It shows how our folklore doesn’t flatten characters into good or evil, instead gives them complexity. When I first heard that Maha Sona liked to drink and chat with his exorcists, it felt like someone had turned the lights on in a haunted house and revealed a very tired ghost sitting at the kitchen table. It’s funny, yes, but also deeply human. And that’s the part I believe is worth sharing.

What fascinates me most about this story is how it holds so many contradictions and makes them work together. Maha Sona is terrifying, but also pitiful. He is a symbol of death, but also of companionship. His presence in a story invites dread, but also invites people to come together such as exorcists, villagers and sometimes laughing children hiding under bedsheets, listening from just outside the room. I want to retell his story because, like the best folklore, it doesn’t just entertain, it reveals. It reveals the fears we share and maybe, just maybe, it helps us look at the monsters in our own lives with a bit more courage and maybe even a crooked smile.

In retelling the story of Maha Sona, I am reminded of the power of folklore to bridge generations and to connect the past with the present. These tales, passed down through the ages, are more than just stories. They are reflections of our culture and our values. As I share them with others, I hope to inspire the same sense of awe and amusement that my grandmother once ignited in me.

About the Competition

The Global Poetry and Creative Writing Competition 2026 by Hashtag Kalakar is a prestigious platform dedicated to celebrating the diverse voices of writers worldwide. This competition brings together creative talents, offering them a stage to showcase their unique narratives and explore various themes across poetry, short stories, and creative non-fiction. It is a celebration of literary excellence and cultural expression.

We extend our heartfelt thanks to Dana De Silva for sharing "The Human Face of a Demon" with us. Your contribution to the Global Poetry and Creative Writing Competition 2026 enriches our understanding of the intricate dance between folklore and human experience. We are grateful for the opportunity to immerse ourselves in your vivid storytelling and cultural insights.

About Hashtag Kalakar

Hashtag Kalakar is a creative platform dedicated to providing artists, writers, singers and other creative talents with opportunities to showcase their work and reach wider audiences through competitions, features and creative initiatives.