How did one cook fish in medieval South India? Was there an ideal woman for a king to marry? Were pedicures a thing? In this podcast, we discuss the 12th century treatise on all things pleasurable that was made available for royalty. Written by the erudite scholar king Someshwara III, Manasollasa, the encyclopedic work on kingship and pleasure, provides us with a glimpse into the society of Chalukya--their games, food, dress, and architecture.
REFERENCES
Arundhati, P. 2004. Games and pastimes in Mānasôllāsa. New Delhi: P. Arundhati.
Sadhale N., and Nene Y.L. 2010. "On Fish in Manasollasa". Asian Agri-History. 14 (4): 177-199.
Sadhale N., and Nene Y.L. 2010. "Sarameyavinoda in manasollasa: Dogs for recreation and hunting". Asian Agri-History. 14 (3): 273-283.
Sadhale N., and Nene Y.L. 2010. "Bhudharakrida (royal enjoyment on a pleasuremound) in Manasollasa". Asian Agri-History. 14 (4): 319-335.
Someśvara, and Gajanan K. Shrigondekar. 1965. Manasollasa. Baroda: Central Library.Someśvara, and R. Shama Sastri. 1926. Abhilashitarthachintamani of Someswara Deva. Mysore: Government Branch Press.
Stela of Someshwara III, c.1129 CE, Balligavi, Karnataka (Image Courtesy: Dinesh Kannambadi)