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Kohala in the Sanskrit textual tradition (Study)

by Padma Sugavanam | 2011 | 95,782 words

This page relates ‘Citations of Kohala in the Nrityadhyaya� 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.

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Part 17 - Citations of Kohala in the ṛtⲹ

Nṛtyādhāya (14th-15th century C.E.) of Aśokamalla is a significant work of the medieval period on the art of ṛtⲹ. There are three instances in this work where a mention of Kohala is found. The first is a reference nine types of breathing techniques (ref.para 2.2.7). The varieties mentioned here exactly match the list that is found in ṅgīٲٲ첹. Following this list, a description of each of these nine types is given. This part appears to be the words of Aśokamalla himself and not of Kohala. The second mention of Kohala in the context of ū󱹲ٲ and finally, while dealing with a variety of deśī cārī called ḵ貹 ī, Aśokamalla lists out twenty five of them according to the view of Kohala.

ṛtⲹ also contains all the information given in ṅgīٲ about and ٲ. But the author does not acknowledge the name of Kohala here. Though he explains all the varieties of kara-ٲ found in ṅgīٲ, he mentions Kohala’s name only in the context of the ū󱹲ٲ.

All the material in ṛtⲹ relating to Kohala is found either in ṅgīٲٲ첹 or in Ծ. In addition, some material of ṅgīٲ (such as the ), although not attributed to Kohala, has been explained in this work. Therefore it is likely that Aśokamalla sourced all his material relating to Kohala from either ṅgīٲٲ첹 or from Ծ. The translator of ṛtⲹ, Vachaspati Gairola is of the opinion that Aśokamalla had in his possession a work written by Kohala[1]. But as discussed presently, this need not necessarily be so. Another significant fact is that this work (along with Ծ and ṅgīٲᲹ) is one of the few rare works which represents a common strain of material relating to Kohala.

Footnotes and references:

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[1]:

śDz첹 viracita ṛtⲹ: 1969: Preface: p.12

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