The World of Courtesans c12.14

c12.14

The *Kuvalayamala* also gives a realistic description of the conversation of the courtesans in their houses: "Hullo Pallanika, get the bedroom ready, wipe and clean the painted walls (*chittabhitti*). Put camphor in the wine, decorate the flower house (*kusumamālaghara*), draw a creeper pattern (*pattalaya*) on the mosaic floor, arrange a layer of flowers on the bed, blow the incense pot, confront the songsters, prepare the *pan*, put the camphor crystals in a casket. Bring the *kakkola* pills, make ready the bed near the window, give me a waternut, bring me the necklace and the garlands, light the lamp Bring the wine in. Your hair will be immersed in the wine pot; ask for the wine pitchers to be brought, hand over the wine cups and place near the bed all kinds of foods and drinks."