The World of Courtesans c10.230

c10.230

Inside the house, flowers of different hues are strewn on the floor, wreathed garlands are hung everywhere; the censers burn the incence, wine is being served and the lamps lighted. The guests are welcomed and everybody seems to be busy. Then there is music. People converse sweetly. The invitees take their seats in an elegant manner. The *vitas* are keen on joking and the courtesans are quick with their retorts. The dwarfs serving in the palace find it difficult to walk about through the flowers which lie thick The young courtesans roll their eyes and pretend that they are hurt even by the tender petals of the *ketaki*. The rich *vitas* share their seats with their mistresses and continue their harmless banter. Hundreds of courtesans and young men walk on the mosaic floor of the assembly hall.