Social and Political Life in the Vijayanagara Empire (A.D. 1346 – A.D. 1646) v2.c25.s2.19

v2.c25.s2.19

A series of sculptures on the walls of Vijayanagara represent a popular game which only Pietro della Valle noticed at Ikkēri. This is *kolāṭam* or stick-play. We have recorded his description of the agile girls whose heads were decked with yellow and white feathers "which made a pretty sight". In the same connection he says: "All of them carry'd in each hand a little round painted Stick, about a span long, or a little more, which they struck together after a musical measure, to the sound of Drums and other instruments, and one of the skillfullest of the company sung one verse of a song, at the end of which they all reply'd seven or eight times, in the number of their meter with the word, *Cole, Cole, Cole*,³ which signifies I know not what, but, I believe, 'tis a word of joy. Singing in this manner they went along the street, eight or ten together, being either friends, or neighbours, follow'd by many other women, not dress'd in the same fashion, but who were either their Mothers, or Kins-women . . . I understood afterwards that they went to the Piazza of the great Temple which is moderately large, and there danc'd in circles, singing their songs till it was late; and that this was a Festival which they keep three dayes together at the end of a certain Feast in Honor of Gaurī, one of their Goddesses, wife of Mohedaca; and therefore "tis celebrated by girls".¹