Mediaeval Sinhalese Art c26.9

c26.9

Diya kacci are undergarments or drawers made in one piece, having a large apron to hang Diya down in front, a narrower flap with less ornament behind and a woven tape to tie round the kacciya waist. They formed the most essential undergarment of old Kandyans, and were also a bathing or running costume; diya kacci were worn also by watchmen and messengers; on Pl. V. will be found a photograph of a Sinhalese man dressed as a watchman or guard (muṛakaraya), showing the manner of wearing the diya kacciya. Some of these garments are quite plain, others most elaborately ornamented. Diya kacci are said to have been made on special looms with double heddles (alu-vel). Such looms were called aṭa-vel-aluva. There can be no doubt that special small looms were also used for making braids. The belt (paṭiya) of a diya kacciya was sometimes made in one piece with the rest. Diya kacci so cut as to be much narrower behind than in front were called pat kapāpu (leaf cut). Diya kacci are from five to six feet in full length, the apron averaging about one and a half by two feet.