Beauty cultural evidence found in Sandesha Kavya: Special reference to the Kotte Period

Abstract

Beauty is defined as a combination of shape, color or form that pleases the aesthetic senses. Beauty or good look is divided into two parts as internal beauty and external beauty. Healthy body parts and decorating those by using various things belong to external beauty. Maintaining good health is defined as internal beauty. This research is to find out how people kept beauty in Kotte era. The research is mainly based on literary sources. So, using Paravi Sandesaya, Hansa Sandesaya, Gira Sandesaya, Salalihini Sandesaya and Kokila Sandesaya as primary sources data is collected. And also secondary sources such as scholars’ views and judgments are followed where necessary. Finally, data is analyzed with the help of qualitative methods. Sinhala literature was limited to Buddhist themes up to the Gampola Period. But this trend changed with the Sandesa kavya. Kotte is the golden era of Sandesa history. Five Sandesa have been written in this era. Having examined these books much beauty-cultural evidence can be found. Those can be categorized as follows: Clothes Jewelry Perfume Unguents Benares Silk (Kasīsaḷu) Meuldama Lathudiya Kokkuma Silk cloth (Patasaḷu) Jewelry used in foot (Pādābharana) Perfume made from Sandal Sandal Fine cloth Wrist-band Frill (Neriya) Pearl String Flower decorations People have worn various clothes as mentioned above to make their appearance good. But most of those clothes have been worn by rich people. Women used to wear jewelry made by gold, gem, and pearl, in their lap, anklet, jingling, hands, neck. And also they have used a different kind of flower decoration, perfume and unguents in their body. Finally, in conclusion, it can be mentioned that people of Kotte era have kept their beauty in a standard way and have used different kinds of clothes, jewelry, perfume and unguents made by solid material such gem, pearl, diamond, gold, and silver as well as natural material to maintain their beauty.