Early Tamil Epigraphy: From the Earliest Times to the Sixth Century A.D. c28.s7.t11.28

c28.s7.t11.28

Aṭiyārkkunallār, the learned commentator on *Cilappatikāram*, refers to four modes of graphic (pictorial) representations of *pālai* (musical notes) including *vaṭṭa-p-pālai* and *catura-p-pālai* (the circular and square forms respectively) (*Cilap.* 17: 13, comm.) He describes the *vaṭṭa-p-pālai* referred to in the text he is commenting on. (Diagrams of *vaṭṭa-p-pālai* based on this commentary are given in S. Ramanathan 1979: Chap. 1.) Perhaps the Arachalur musical charts may be connected with the *catura-p-pālai* mentioned but not described by Aṭiyārkkunallār in his commentary. (For data on music and dance in *Cilappatikāram*, see S. Ramanathan 1979.) See also section 4.22.2.