The World of Courtesans c8.103

c8.103

There seems to have been other kinds of dancers employed by the temple, who, in spite of their indifferent performance, carried on with the routine drudgery of this work. The visiting performers received gifts on the second day, because as pointed out by the commentary, on the first day the people were too busy with the performance and on the third day their pockets tended to be empty. The *niyuktas* and *pujopacharakas* received their ordinary emoluments but the visiting performers received the fees already fixed for the occasion. Even in the rush and confusion of the first day's performance they received garments as gifts from the nagarakas for their fine performance of the stage. In the end if the audience so desired, then the performance was repeated. Otherwise the party was dismissed with sweet words. There was perfect accord between the visiting performers and those in the temple service. If anyone from the visiting party fell ill, or if a calamity befell him, or if he was otherwise engaged attending a marriage party or a festival, a *niyukta* at once deputized for him and came to the help of the performers. The visiting party also did a similar good turn if a *niyukta* found himself in a similar position.