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News: Recently, ‘Kaho Kalidasa!’, a novel by Yugul Joshi, on the poet’s life and works, launched at IGNCA, New Delhi.
About Sanskrit Poet Kalidasa
- Birth: The exact birth date and birthplace of the ancient Sanskrit poet Kalidasa remain unknown.
- He is associated with various regions such as Himalayas, Ujjain and Kalinga.
- He was a great Sanskrit poet and dramatist of India.
- In India, he is praised by all his followers such as post dated poets and critics namely Mammta, Anandavardhancharya, Abhinav Gupta etc.
- He flourished around the late 4th and early 5th century CE.
- He has influenced the mentors of the middle ages, as well as the pioneers of Indian renaissance like Vivekananda and Tagore.
- Kalidasa’s Literary Works: Kalidasa is credited with several remarkable works that showcase his mastery of Sanskrit poetry and drama.
- The society reflected in Kalidasa’s work is that of a courtly aristocracy sure of its dignity and power.
- His major works include:
- Ritusamhara: It is a small lyrical poem giving a graphic and poetic description of the six seasons of India.
- Meghadutam: A lyrical poem in which an exiled yaksha sends a message to his beloved through a passing monsoon cloud. It became a model for the sandesha-kavya (messenger-poem) tradition in Sanskrit literature.
- Kumarasambhava: An epic poem that portrays the divine love of Shiva and Parvati and the birth of their son, Kumara.
- Raghuvamsa: An epic celebrating the lineage of King Raghu, including Rama, and demonstrating Kalidasa’s ability to creatively reinterpret themes from the Ramayana.
- Malavikagnimitra: It is considered one of Kalidasa’s early dramas. It revolves around love, courtly life, and mistaken identities.
- Vikramorvasiya: A romantic drama that explores the intense and often tragic love between King Pururavas and the celestial nymph Urvashi.
- Abhijnanasakuntalam: Kalidasa’s most celebrated play, renowned for its lyrical beauty, dramatic depth, and the unforgettable character of Shakuntala.
- It is a drama of seven acts based on the old legend of Shakuntala, described in Mahabharata.
- It was the first Sanskrit drama ever to be translated into a European language.
