Kalhana (c. 12th century), a Kashmiri, was the author of Rajatarangini (Chronicle of Kings), an account of the history of Kashmir. He wrote the work in Sanskrit between 1148 and 1149.^[1] All information regarding his life has to be deduced from his own writing, a major scholar of which is Mark Aurel Stein. Robin Donkin has argued that with the exception of Kalhana, "there are no [native Indian] literary works with a developed sense of chronology, or indeed much sense of place, before the thirteenth century".^[2]

Life[link]

He was born to a Kashmiri minister, Canpaka, who probably served king Harsa of the Lohara dynasty. It is possible that his birthplace was Parihasapura and his birth would have been very early in the 12th century. It is extremely likely that he was of the Hindu Brahmin caste, suggested in particular by his knowledge of Sanskrit. The introductory verses to each of the eight Books in his Rajatarangini are prefaced with prayers to Shiva, a Hindu deity. In common with many Hindus in Kashmir at that time, he was also sympathetic to Buddhism, and Buddhists tended to reciprocate this feeling towards Hindus.^[3] Even in relatively modern times, Buddha's birthday has been a notable event for Kashmiri Brahmins and well before Kalhana's time Buddha had been accepted by Hindus as an avatar of Vishnu.^[4]

Kalhana was familiar with earlier epics such as the Vikramankadevacharita of Bilhana, the Ramayana and the Mahabharata, to all of which he alludes in his own writings.^[5] However, his own writings did not employ what Stein has described as "the very redundant praise and flattery which by custom and literary tradition Indian authors feel obliged to bestow on their patrons". From this comes Stein's deduction that Kalhana was not a part of the circle surrounding Jayasimha, the ruling monarch at the time when he was writing the Rajatarangini.^[6]

See also[link]

• Dynasties of Ancient Kashmir

References[link]

Bibliography[link]

• Stein, Mark Aurel (1989) [1900]. Kalhana's Rajatarangini: a chronicle of the kings of Kasmir, Volume 1 (Reprinted ed.). Motilal Banarsidass. ISBN 978-81-208-0369-5. http://books.google.com/books?id=-dfT2D8mnukC. Retrieved 2011-07-11. 
• Stein, Mark Aurel (1989) [1900]. Kalhana's Rajatarangini: a chronicle of the kings of Kasmir, Volume 2 (Reprinted ed.). Motilal Banarsidass. ISBN 978-81-208-0370-1. http://books.google.com/books?id=KzxTkI9iAxkC. Retrieved 2011-07-10. 
• Donkin, Robin A. (1998). "Beyond price: pearls and pearl-fishing: origins to the age of discoveries". Memoirs of the American Philosophical Society (American Philosophical Society) 224. ISBN 978-0-87169-224-5. http://books.google.com/books?id=leHFqMQ9mw8C. 

External links[link]

• Dhar, K. N. Kalhana - The Chronicler. Retrieved on November 15, 2008.

Kasun Kalhara
Kasun Kalhara at Acoustic Brew
Background information
Birth name	Kasun Kalahara Jayawardena
Born	(1982-06-17) June 17, 1982 (age 30) Rajagiriya, Sri Lanka
Genres	Experimental, classical
Occupations	Musician, record producer
Instruments	Vocals, guitar
Years active	2000 – present
Associated acts	Indrachapa Liyanage
Website	www.kasunkalhara.com

Kasun Kalhara Jayawardena (Sinhala: කසුන් කල්හාර ) ; born June 17, 1982 ; is a Sri Lankan singer, musician and record producer. during his musical career, Kasun has released three albums Haritha Nimnaye, Radical Premaya and Romantic Opera.

Biography[link]

Kasun was born in Rajagiriya, Sri Lanka on June 17, 1982. His mother late Malini Bulathsinhala who was veteran vocalist and father H.M Jayawardena also a famous musician. He was a student of Premasiri Khemadasa also was a member of Khemadasa's opera orchestra.

His music career started with Indrachapa Liyanage in year 2000. at this time his mother was a big supporter to make his career and she was very proud about every steps of her son. once a newspaper interviewer was asking from her "what is the most memorable day in your life?" then she answered "The day Maestro Kemadasa hugged and wished my son Kasun Kalahara, following his first musical concert, That warm hug from Master Kemadasa guaranteed that Kasun had a genuine talent and a clear future".^[1]

Kasun has held couple of concerts very successfully collaborating with other artists such as "Kasun Kalhara Live in Concert",^[2][3] "Kasun Kalhara Unforgettable Live in Concert",^[4] "The Black Red White Concert".^[5]

Kasun Kalhara, Indrachapa Liyanage and Nirosha Viragini performing at Ananda College

Personal life[link]

Kasun is married to Nadee Kammalweera, he has a son.^[6]

Discography[link]

• Haritha Nimnaye (album) (2001)
• Radical Premaya (album) (2005)
• Romantic Opera (album) (2008)

With other artists

• Aadara Mal Wala (with Indrachapa Liyanage)
• Aadaraneeya Wassaanaya (with Uresha Ravihari)
• Pamaawee Pipuna (with Indika Upamali)
• Raaththriya Manaram (with Nirosha Virajini)
• Samagi Samaadana (with Malani Bulathsinghala)
• Sanda Ahimi (with Pradeepa Dharmadasa)
• Shuunya Wuu Nagaraye (with Samitha Mudunkotuwa)
• Veenaawee Urathalaye (with Indrachapa Liyanage)

References[link]