Cosmetics, Costumes and Ornaments in Ancient India
by Remadevi. O. | 2009 | 54,177 words
This page relates ‘Upper Garments (g): Colaka (stitched dress)’ of the study on cosmetics, costumes and ornaments of ancient India based on Sanskrit sources. Chapter one deals with cosmetics and methods of enhancing beauty; Chapter two deals with costumes, garments and dresses; Chapter three deals with ornaments for humans and animals. Each chapter deals with their respective materials, types, preparation and trade, as prevalent in ancient Indian society.
2.1. Upper Garments (g): Colaka (stitched dress)
Colaka is referred to in different texts in different ways. However it is a stitched dress, worn by royal personages. On the basis of the accounts given in Matsyapurāṇa[1], it can be assumed that Colaka was mantle shaped. It might have been similar to Akavacakañcuka mentioned in Bṛhatsaṃhitā[2]. Bhavabhūti describes Colaka as a bridal dress[3]. According to Rājaśekhara[4], it is a lower garment of unmarried girls. Cīnacolaka was sub variety of Colaka. As the name suggests, it is made of Cīna cloth. In Bāṇa’s works, kings are often referred to as attired in Cīnacolaka[5].
Footnotes and references:
[1]:
261.4
[2]:
57.48
[3]:
Mālatīmādhava,VI.11, 148.50
[4]:
Viddhasālabhañjikā, I.34
[5]:
Harṣacarita, pp.151, 152; DAOAI, p.110