The mystery of the Kalasa: A link to Bharat Natayam?

Abstract

The author describes a 3rd/4th century A.D. Indian coin and suggests that the female figure portrayed on the reverse as standing by a kalasa or vase may provide a clue to the possible place of origin of the Bharat Natayam, a dance discussed by S. Soundarapandian in an earlier issue of The Mankind Quarterly. Key Words: Numismatics, Yaudheya Gana, Bharat Natayam, India. Amongst the most nicely executed bronze coins of ancient India are those of the Yaudheya Gana.1 The coins seem to have been struck during the third or fourth century A.D. and are, fortunately, relatively common. Four of them in my collection weigh 11.17, 11.5, 11.27 and 10.7 grams, a rather remarkable consistency for bronze coins of that time. Such consistency of weight is strong evidence that these coins were dependent on their copper content for their monetary value and were thus not of a flat nature. The diameters of my four coins range from 22 to 25 millimeters. The specimen weighing 11.17 grams has a diameter of 23 millimeters and can be described as follows: Obverse: Standing, facing representation of the war god Karttikeya. In his right, extended hand he holds a spear nearly as long as lic is tall. Under his left arm (also extended away from his bod; ), that is, in the lower right field, is a peacock facing toward him. Around the perimeter is an inscription in Bramhi characters transliterated as Yaudheyaganasya jayah Victory to the Yaudheya nation. Karttikeya wears an object on his head, perhaps a helmet. Reverse: Karttikeya's wife is portrayed full length. Her right arm is bent and raised, while her left hand rests on her hip. In the left field there is a vase (kalasa) containing what appears to be a plant or plants represented by three lines. In the right field is a triratna (a religious symbol) over which there are three dots. The whole design is encircled by 27 rather large dots. Illustrations and information about the coin are to be found in John Allan, A Catalogue of the Indian Coins in the British Museum, 1936, reprinted in 1967, Plate XL, nos 2-6; Centennial Publication of the American Numismatic Society, New York, 1958, Plate L no. 5.; P. L. Gupta, Coins (in the series, India - The Land and People), New Delhi, 1969 (Bhadra 1891), Plate 10, no. 101.; E. J. Rapson, The Coinage of Ancient and Medieval India, Plate III, no. 14.; John M. Rosenfield, The Dynastic Arts of the Kushans, Berkeley, 1967 No. 286; and D. C. Sircar, Studies in Indian Coins, Delhi, 1968. Plate IV, no. 20. The whole design follows somewhat the general pattern of the contemporary Kushan coinage, which, in turn, seems to have been influenced by the Roman coinage which circulated to some extent in India at that time. Sircar believes that the weight is on the 100-Rati standard. (The rati seed is reddish and about the size of a large barley seed.) What is the significance of the flower vase? …