Mediaeval Sinhalese Art c7.30

c7.30

A *gikiyana* was the tenancy of another class of musicians whose service consisted in singing at *dēvāles* on *Kenmura* days (Wednesday and Saturday services) and on festivals, and in the performance of the *digge-neṭima*, which latter was a service performed by women. The songs generally related to the exploits of the god. The men sang and played on cymbals, drums, &c., and the women danced. The ordinary tom-tom beater was not allowed to play for dancers of this class, which is supposed to be of Tamil origin.