The great poet Kalidasa and his works
Following the decline of the Maurya Empire, the Gupta dynasty established a powerful administrative system in India. Though there are no definitive primary sources about the period in which the great poet Kalidasa lived, existing evidence suggests that he belonged to the Gupta era.
The timeline of Kalidasa's life is estimated based on several factors. The play "Malavikagnimitra" mentions King Agnimitra, who lived around 150 BCE, suggesting that Kalidasa lived after this period. Additionally, the famous Aihole inscription from 634 CE describes him as a great poet, indicating that he lived before that time. The Mandasor inscription from 473 CE includes verses that reflect knowledge of Kalidasa's works, further suggesting that he lived around 450 CE.
Kalidasa is believed to have been one of the nine gems in the court of King Vikramaditya of Ujjain. Many scholars believe that he thrived under the patronage of this ruler, contributing to the development of Sanskrit literature.
Recognized as one of the greatest poets of Indian literature, Kalidasa's contributions to Sanskrit poetry and drama are unparalleled. His works are not only significant within Indian literature but have also earned a prominent place in world literature.
One striking aspect of Kalidasa’s literary works is his extensive knowledge of different regions of India, gained through his travels. His masterpiece, "Abhijnana Shakuntalam" (The Recognition of Shakuntala), is considered one of the greatest works of Sanskrit and world literature. Based on an episode from the Mahabharata, this play immortalized Kalidasa’s name. His other notable dramas, "Malavikagnimitra" and "Vikramorvashiya," were composed before "Shakuntala."
"Malavikagnimitra" is a lighthearted drama about King Agnimitra’s love for Malavika, a maidservant of his queen. Despite numerous obstacles, he achieves his goal with the help of a witty companion. Since the prologue requests the audience’s forgiveness for any flaws, it is often considered Kalidasa’s first work.
"Vikramorvashiya," a play about the love between a mortal king and a celestial nymph, is believed to have been written during the reign of Kumaragupta I. This work subtly hints at social decline.
Kalidasa’s great epic poems, "Raghuvamsa," "Kumarasambhava," and "Meghaduta," are considered masterpieces of Sanskrit poetry. "Kumarasambhava," composed of 18 cantos, narrates the battle between the gods and the demon Taraka. However, scholars argue that Kalidasa did not write the entire poem, as the commentator Mallinatha limited the authentic portion to only eight cantos. The highly poetic depiction of Shiva and Parvati’s love and the descriptions of nature in the first and third cantos highlight Kalidasa’s literary brilliance.
"Raghuvamsa," based on the legends of the solar dynasty, describes the reigns of 30 kings, with King Raghu as its central figure. It is believed that Kalidasa could not complete the poem due to illness or death, and later poets added the remaining cantos.
"Meghaduta," considered the first messenger poem in world literature, is another celebrated work by Kalidasa. Renowned for its poetic style, imagery, and emotional depth, it influenced later Sanskrit poets. The story revolves around a yaksha (celestial being) who, separated from his wife, asks a cloud to carry his message to her. This poetic masterpiece beautifully portrays the theme of love in separation. "Meghaduta" is divided into two sections: "Purvamegha" (first cloud) with 66 verses and "Uttaramegha" (later cloud) with 55 verses, all written in the Mandakranta meter.
Among all of Kalidasa’s works, "Shakuntala" stands out as the greatest. Based on the Mahabharata, it tells the love story of King Dushyanta and Shakuntala, the foster daughter of sage Kanva. Kalidasa transformed the epic tale into a remarkable drama, adhering to the principles of Sanskrit dramaturgy. The play is divided into seven acts and concludes on a happy note. "Shakuntala" is a prime example of classical Sanskrit theatre and is regarded as one of the finest plays in world literature.
References
Peiris, N., & Hettiarachchi, D. E. (1995). Mahakavi Kalidasa’s Shakuntala. Colombo: S. Godage and Brothers.
Marasinghe, W. (2016). Sanskrit Drama and Performing Arts. Colombo: S. Godage and Brothers.
Rajakaruna, A. (2016). A New Interpretation of Kalidasa’s Shakuntala and Other Scholarly Essays. Colombo: S. Godage and Brothers.
P.M.K.A.R. Senaviratne
Department of Media Studies
Sri Palee Campus – University of Colombo
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