A History of South India from Prehistoric Times to the Fall of Vijayanagar c18.25

c18.25

‘We saw going along the streets several companies of young girls, well clothed, after their manner, with some of the above-mentioned wrought and figured silk from the girdle downwards; and from thence upwards either naked, or else very pure linen, either of one colour, or striped and wrought with several, besides a scarf of the same work cast over the shoulder. Their heads were decked with yellow and white flowers formed into a high and large Diadem, with some sticking out like sun-beams, and others twisted together and hanging down in several fashions which made a pretty sight. 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 skilfullest of the company sang 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 *Colé, Colé, Colé*, which signifies I know not what, but, I believe, ’tis a word of joy . . . I imagined it was for some extraordinary Festival.’