Kohala in the Sanskrit textual tradition (Study)
by Padma Sugavanam | 2011 | 95,782 words
This page relates ‘Structure of Kohalarahasyam’ 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 1(b).2 - Structure of Kohalarahasyam
The thirteenth chapter of Kohalarahasyam is found in the 10 available folios of the manuscript. The work begins with the heading Rāgalakṣaṇam. The contents of this work are presented to the reader via a dialogue between Kohala and Mataṅga, where Mataṅga poses questions regarding the time-theory of rāgas to Kohala who answers them in the form of the ślokas that follow. In accordance with the heading of the chapter, the only aspect that has been dealt with, in this manuscript is rāga. Even there, only the classification of rāgas into sūryāṃśa and candramāṃśa, puṃ, strī and napuṃsaka rāgas, śuddha and saṅkīrṇa rāgas, pūrṇa, ṣāḍava and auḍava ragas, association of rāgas with rasa etc. have been mentioned. In a few folios, there are statements written in tamiz [tamil] script which seem like indicators for the end of a sub section294. After the colophon, there is a short segment giving list of puruṣa rāgas and their corresponding strī rāgas after which the work ends abruptly. This final portion is not found in Kohalamatam.
The last folio of this manuscript bears the colophon—
इति कोहलरहस्ये त्रयोदशोध्यायः.
iti kohalarahasye trayodaśodhyāyaḥ.
The same textual material ends in the manuscript of Kohalamatam with the colophon—
इति कोहलमतङ्गसम्वादे चतुर्थोध्यायः.
iti kohalamataṅgasamvāde caturthodhyāyaḥ.
It is interesting that the same material is spoken of in one work as being the 13th chapter and in another as being the 4th chapter. The entire textual content of Kohalarahasyam is found verbatim in Kohalamatam. The only salient feature is that there is a mention of the 13th chapter in Kohalarahasyam, whereas there is no such corresponding entry to be found in Kohalamatam.