Kohala in the Sanskrit textual tradition (Study)
by Padma Sugavanam | 2011 | 95,782 words
This page relates ‘Citations of Kohala in the Sangitasuryodaya� 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 18 - Citations of Kohala in the Saṅgītaūǻ岹ⲹ
There are two references to Kohala in Saṅgītaūǻ岹ⲹ [ṃgīٲ-ūǻ岹ⲹ] (1509-1529 C.E.) of ṣmīⲹṇa. One is relating to the ṛtٲ hastas (ref.para 2.2.3.2). After listing out all the ṛtٲ hastas, the author cites Kohala saying that he prescribes these to be used for abhinaya also. The other is a description of the 貹ñś prabandha (ref.para 2.1.11.2). The author gives a detailed account of the 貹ñś prabandha, mostly on the lines of Śṅg𱹲. He prescribes the rendition of the ܻ岵 towards the end of the prabandha. In this context, he mentions that there is an optional usage of پ for the first two padas and dhruva for the subsequent three. This according to him is on the authority of Kohala.
Interestingly, Kallinātha already describes the rendition of the ܻ岵 in the same manner. But he does not mention the name of Kohala in this context. It appears that ṣmīⲹṇa has drawn his material from Kallinātha. Perhaps, he (ṣmīⲹṇa) did not wish to acknowledge him (Kallinātha) and instead attributed the same to Kohala, by doing which he perhaps hoped to add some more credibility and authority to his words. A similar approach is also seen in ṅgīٲܻ, where Govinda Dīkṣita paraphrases verses of Śṅg𱹲. He too does not acknowledge Śṅg𱹲, but instead cites the names of ancient authorities like Bharata, Dattila, Kohala, ṣṭ첹 and others.
Prabandha is a concept that belongs to the śī tradition. The mention of Kohala on this subject would indicate that he was an author who dealt with śī. However, the genuineness of this citation is questionable. Since the very authenticity of the link of this work to Kohala is under doubt, the role that it will play in understanding Kohala is consequently insignificant.