W.C Kalidasa

EARLY LIFE

KALIDASA  was a traditional Sanskrit writer, considered as the greatest poet and dramatist in the Sanskrit language. His  period cannot be dated with precision, but most likely falls within the 5th century AD.

It is believed that he was from humble origin, married to princess and challenged by his wife, studied poetry to become great poet. His wife's name was Vidyotama.

Period

His period was linked to the reign of one Vikramaditya ( Chandraguptha II) (380 CE – 415 CE) and Skandagupta (455 CE – 480 CE), were titled Vikramaditya and Kalidasa's living period is linked to their reign. It was said that he as among nine jewels of vikramaditya’s (Chaardragupta II) court. It was also argued that Kalidasa lived in first century B.C. during the period of another Vikramaditya of Ujjain, but now it is generally accepted that Kalidasa's period falls between 5th and 6th Century C.E. His name, along with poet Bharavi's name, is mentioned in a stone inscription dated 634 C.E. found at Aihole, located in present day Karnataka

Plays

Kalidasa wrote three plays. Among them, abhignanasakuntalam is considered as a masterpiece. It was among the first Sanskrit works to be translated into English, and has since been translated into many languages.

Abhignanasakuntalam ("Of Shakuntala recognised by a token") tells the story of King dhusyanta who, while on a hunting trip, meets shakunthala, the adopted daughter of a sage, and marries her. A mishap befalls them when he is summoned back to court: Shakuntala, pregnant with their child,accidently offends a visiting sage and incurs a curse, by which Dushyanta will forget her completely until he sees the ring he has left with her. On her trip to Dushyanta's court in an advanced state of pregnancy, she loses the ring, and has to come away unrecognized. The ring is found by a fisherman who recognizes the royal seal and returns it to Dushyanta, who regains his memory of Shakuntala and sets out to find her. After more attempts, they are finally reunited.

vikramorvasiyam tells the story of mortal King Pururavas  and celestial nymph Urvashi who fall in love. As an immortal, she has to return to the heavens, where an unfortunate accident causes her to be sent back to the earth as a mortal with the curse that she will die (and thus return to heaven) the moment her lover lays his eyes on the child which she will bear him. After a series of mishaps, including Urvashi's temporary transformation into a vine, the curse is lifted, and the lovers are allowed to remain together on the earth.

Poems

Kalidasa is the author of two poems raghuvamsa and kumarasambhava.

·         Raghuvaṃsa is an epic poem about the kings of the Raghu dynasty.

·         Kumarasambhava describes the birth and adolescence of the goddess Parvati, and her marriage to Lord Shiva.he have also written several poems.

  Conclusion

    Kalidasa is greatest poet indian had ever known his contributions to the indian literature is     huge his style of poems include usage of beautiful imagery and similies. He gives a lively     description of everything he writes, surely one can say he was the greatest poet ever lived.

Sources wikipedia

Britannica

Telugu film mahakavi kalidasu (1960)