Indological Studies

SR No.: 022756
Original Sutra Author: N/A
Author: H C Bhayani
Publisher: Parshva Prakashan
Publication Year: 1993
Total Pages: 376
Language: English
Classification: Book_English
File Size: 25 MB

Page 108

Literary and Performing Arts
the Bṛhaddesi shows, the Tenā mode was in vogue for various musical Prabandhas and this finds support also from Subhankara's manual referred to earlier. In the later dramatic practice, a convention developed according to which the Tena mode was to be used for singing the Dhruva in the opening Nandi of the drama, but from oneśvara's remark it is clear that the Tena was used at other places also in the drama. It is but natural that over the centuries some minor changes and variations might have been developed in the Tena style (e. g. use of various other syllables besides te and na).
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7. The form tennā, with interpolation of r in the first syllable would give the form trenna. In Prakrit and Apabhramśa some words came to be pronounced with an r interpolated in the initial syllable. Hemacandra has noted it for Apabhramśa (Siddhahema, VIII iv 399; abhūto'pi kvacit). Hindi, Gujarati and other New Indo-Aryan languages also have some words with an interpolated r in the first syllable. Note for example Sanskrit koti, Prakrit kodi, Hindi, Gujarati karoḍ 'crore'; Sk. sāpa, Hindi sarap, Guj. frap; Sk. sāna, Pk. sāna, Guj. saran, etc. trennā, thus derived from tennă, later changed to tarena, or tarāna. South Indian thillana also derives from the same source.
8. Lastly I may draw attention to an occurrence of Tenna in a very interesting context. In the third Kaḍavaka of the 34th Samdhi of Svayambhu's Paumacariya (referred to above), in the description of Indra's extraordinary pomp and glory, it is said that Haha, Huhu, Tumburu, Narada, Tejja and Tenna served Indra as his court musicians. Thus it seems that by the ninth century, Tenna was believed to have been a divine female singer in a troupe which performed at the celestial court of Indra and which included such esteemed mythical figures as Haha, Huhu, Tumburu and Narada. Regarding the remaining member Tejjā, we are completely in the dark. But the pair of Tejja and Tenna reminds us of the legendary singers Tana and Riri, the two sisters supposed to have flourished at Vadnagar in Gujarat and helped Tanasena in a critical situation.