Let me mention some references on the term Yavanika.

 

The Marg magazine had a special issue "Hind and Hellas" which had several articles on Indian and Greek interaction. The papers were originally presented in a conference in Delphi in 1984. In a paper

Lokesh Chandra mentions the three derivatives of Yavana mentioned by Panini: Greek woman Yavani, curtain yavanika and the Greek script Yavanani.

 

"Greek Drama and the Kutiyattam", by Katharine B. Free, Theatre Journal 1981, The Johns Hopkins University Press, mentions Yavanika in Indian theater as corresponding to Greek "siparium".

 

"Musical Theatre in India", by Harold Schramm, Asian Music 1968 University of Texas Press, mentions:

 

rangapith: the visible front section
nepathya: rear section hidden from view
yavanika: a low curtain that separated the two above

 

The article mentions that Mrichchhakatikam mentions the greek comedy school of Menander.

 

The Element of ὌØÉÓ in Theatrical Production a Reply to Professor Dale, by W. Beare, Phoenix, 1953 Classical Association of Canada, also  suggests yavanika curtain being derived from Greek mime.

 

Yavanika was the name of a 1982 Malayalam film, its English name was "The Curtain falls".

 

Incidentally, I may have been wrong in thinking that there are some Gandhara sulptures that show women with head covered. So far I have not found any examples, however there are prepresentation of women in Gandhara schulpture with some head-gear like a band etc. Some women in later Ajanta frescos show some women with head gear, but none that can be called a vail to my knowledge.

 

Yashwant

Paul Kekai Manansala <p.manansala@...> wrote: