Kohala in the Sanskrit textual tradition (Study)
by Padma Sugavanam | 2011 | 95,782 words
This page relates ‘Citations of Kohala in the Sangitaratnakara� of the thesis dealing with Kohala’s contribution to the Sanskrit textual tradition of ancient Indian performing arts. The study focuses specifically on music (Gita), dance (Nritya), and drama (Natya). Although Kohala’s original works have not been found, numerous references to him across Lakshana-Granthas (treatises) and works by modern scholars indicate his significance.
Part 9 - Citations of Kohala in the Saṅgītaٲ첹
Saṅgītaٲ첹 (1250 C.E.) of Śṅg𱹲 is one of the most important works in Classical Music literature. Interestingly, there are only two references to Kohala, one while listing out the ū峦ⲹ and another while describing nine types of breathing techniques (ref. para 2.2.7). Śṅg𱹲 cites nine types of breathing techniques as mentioned by Kohala namely svastha, cala, ṛd, nirasta, ܱٲ, vimukta, vismita, skhalita and ṛt. These breathing techniques are found almost verbatim (with a few variations) in ṛtⲹ of Aśokamalla. Also, both the commentaries on ṃgīٲ-ٲ첹 i.e. Ծ of Kallinātha and ṅgīٲܻ첹 of Siṃhabhūpāla bear references to Kohala, which are being taken up later.
Śṅg𱹲’s single reference to Kohala is regarding breathing techniques. He is also the first to make such a reference. No author prior to Śṅg𱹲 has mentioned Kohala name in this context. Some post-Śṅg𱹲 authors have mentioned the same types of breathing techniques, notably Aśokamalla, the author of ṛtⲹ. It is strange that every important treatise on ṅgīٲ or ṭy has a different account of Kohala. Also, Śṅg𱹲 has frequently referred to Բī in his work and was perhaps one author who had this work in his posession. It is strange that when Abhinava quotes Kohala on so many subjects, Śarṅgadeva does not mention any of those but gives a new reference altogether. If Abhinava was not his source who else was? Or is it possible that Śṅg𱹲 had an entirely different work of Kohala in his possession?