Ritual dancing

[Full title: Other Religious Beliefs and Customs (during the Pallava period): Ritual dancing]

The depiction of two male warriors holding in one of their hand a cudgel and a shield in the other, on either end of the facade of Avanibhajana-pallavesvara-griham at Siyamangalam (fig. 30) may be interpreted as representative of a ritualistic dancing, done in front of the temple on certain special occasions. This can be compared with the tradition of Veriadal of the Sangam age, when the priest known as Velan dances with full gusto by holding a spear in his hand in honor of god Muruga. This depiction may also indicate the prevalent practice of conducting combat matches among a pair or group of individuals as a sort of entertainment. Similar sculptures are also noticed in the Vaikunthaperumal temple at Kanchipuram (northern wall)^[1], where men are seen engaged in wrestling within the premises of royal court in front of the king, queen and other courtiers. The well built muscular features of their body also show that they are not ordinary villagers or common man. Perhaps, such events are held during festive occasions and are specially trained.