viRaliyar (Musicians in the Near East)

[Valerie J Roebuck]

In the translations you quote, the descriptions would seem to apply quite
well to the type of garments seen on female figures of all kinds (not just
the musicians) in the scuptures of Amaravati, Sañci etc.

Dr Valerie J Roebuck
Manchester, UK

N Ganesan writes:

>Yes, perhaps diaphanous garments. Usually the viRaliyar, dancing girls
>descriptions will include words like , " nuN izai" (=thin yarn).
>"izai" has another meaning which is "strings"....
>
>Since 'alkul' and 'mulai' are employed, the scholar
>Prof. J. V. Chelliah wrote his logical conclusion:
>>"The songstress seems to have been quite naked, as otherwise
>>her whole body could not have been described."
>>(J. V. Chelliah, Pattupattu, SISS society, Madras, 1962, p. 55)