The World of Courtesans c12.6

c12.6

The courtesans and the women of the town congregating to see the royal processions, chatting among themselves and discussing the chief figure became almost a motif in literature. Such a scene is described in the *Kuvalayamala* several times. For instance, when the Prince Kuvalayachandra's procession reached the square situated in the middle of the town, the courtesans (*nagarakula-balika*) thronged to see him. One with heavy haunches was unable to reach the door and was angry with her friends who had already reached the spot. Others with full bosoms rushed about in a flurry. A shy girl came to the door under the pretence of watching the movements of the crowd. Some were stirred by the desire to leave the company of their elders. They were stupefied when they were asked questions. One gazed at the road and turned her eyes as though they were sewn together and at that moment her pearl necklace snapped strewing the pearls on the floor. The jewelled zone of another tinkled and another's was displaced in the rush.