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A CRITICAL STUDY OF PAUMACARIYAM
additional garment for women. Men and women both were very fond of ornaments of head, neck, ears, arms, fingers and waist. Besides, ornaments of ankle were worn by the women.
Toilet:-Various powders, unguents, pastes and perfumes were used in bath and toilet. Hair dressing was an important part of decoration. Flowers and saffron were very commonly used, specially by women.
Arts: Among the fine arts music, dance and drama were very popular. They were cultivated and well patronised by the royal and the noble families. Playing on the Viņa was very common. Various kinds of instruments were played on social, religious and political occasions. Dance and music were very popular with the royal and noble ladies. Artists and professionals provided entertainment to the public in general. There were regular prekṣāgrahas (theatres) for the performance of music, dance and drama.
Other fine arts which were commonly patronised, were drawing, painting, terracota and plastic. Pictures of human beings and animals were drawn and shaded with colours. Portraits played an important part in arranging marital alliances. Land-scape painting was also prevalent. Palaces and temples were decorated with cloth paintings. Royal mansions were furnished with clay and lac modellings of animals and human beings. Sculpture had reached an advanced stage. Idols of Jinas, some surprisingly small while others sufficiently big were carved out of jewels, gold and stones. Even finger rings were set with images of Jinas.
Towns and Buildings :-We find a picture of systematic town planning with bazaras and mansions, palaces and buildings. roads and streets, gardens and pleasure resorts, and fortifications and gates. Buildings as high as eight storied with separate quarters, rooms, courtyards, windows and spires have been referred to. Royal palace was set with various rooms for the household as well as for the administrative purpose. Special gallaries were constructed on the occasion of any public show. Costly articles of furniture for lying down and sitting on were used by the rich and the noble. Articles of decoration such as flags, canopies, festoons, strings of pearls, metal designs etc. are referred to.
Conditions of Life :-The noble and the rich lived a happy and luxurious life, but people at the lower strata of the society led a miserable life. Generally there was peace but occasional battles and wars and epidemics tormented the social life. The bulk of the population lived on agriculture and animal husbandry. Small industries like
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