The World of Courtesans c11.87

c11.87

After worshipping Shiva, Samarabhata takes a seat which had been arranged by his attendants. Seated before him are musicians and dancing girls and bankers. The place is full of soldiers. After he had inquired about the welfare of the merchants and bankers, a bard sings a song in his honour. The prince acknowledges this tribute and then asks the dance master why the performance had not started. His reply throws some interesting light on the life of the dancers and actors of that period. He states that one could hardly expect a good dance drama when the actress spends her time with her lovers in drinking parties or else in expecting a new client. While she is in a theatre, an actress learns that her lover is waiting for her at home. She at once leaves the place under some pretext and goes home. Actresses are fond of meat and drink and men. They have hardly any enthusiasm for anything else. They have no interest in their art. But in spite of all this a dance master has to take the party round to earn his livelihood. Then he gives an account of actors and actresses who are to participate in the dance drama of *Ratnavali*. Manjari was to play the part of Ratnavali.