The Complete Works of Kalidasa, Vol. 1: Poems

by Kālidāsa, Chandra Rajan (Translator)

Kalidasa s status as the major poet and dramatist in classical Sanskrit literature is unquestioned.. Kalidasa s knowledge of the human heart and his understanding of the complex play The first volume,of the three volumes contemplated,opens a window into the rich world of the imanigation of a writer of whom it was once said that no second to him has been found. The second volume,contains his plays. Kalidasa s knowledge of the human heart and his understanding of the complex play of human motivation are profound.A keen observer of nature in all it s varied aspects-he is at the same time a learned writer who wears his enormous learning lightly and with grace.A mystic awareness of the transcendental combines in his works with a sensuous feeling for beauty in woman and nature,reflecting as it does the blend of the erotic and spiritual that characterizes Siva mythology.In all of his works he celebrates the values of the great civilization that he was heir to,but not without qusetinoning as is made amply clear in the introduction.. Chandra Rajan nee Sarma,the translator has a distinguished academic record taking degrees taking degrees in English and Sanskrit literature,.She has taught English in prestigious Universities in India and abroad.

Genres: Poetry

388 pages, Hardcover

First published October 1, 1982

About the author

Poetry of Indian dramatist and lyric poet Kalidasa (circa 375-circa 415) represents the height of the kavya style, which his epic poem Raghuvamsha and his lyric poem Meghaduta exemplify.

Poeple widely regard Kālidāsa (Devanāgarī: कालिदास "servant of Kali") as the greatest renowned writer in the classical Sanskrit language.

We know nothing with certainty about the life of Kālidāsa apart from works but speculate about the place where he lived or the dates of his birth and death. According to legend, his known beauty brought him to the attention of Vidyottama, princess, who married him.
Kālidāsa, however, legendarily lacked much education, and his ignorance and coarseness shamed the princess. A devoted worshipper of Kali (by other accounts of Saraswati), Kālidāsa is said to have called upon his goddess for help when he was going to commit suicide in a well after he was humiliated by his wife, and was rewarded with a sudden and extraordinary gift of wit. He is then said to have become the most brilliant of the "nine gems" at the court of the king Vikramaditya of Ujjain. Legend also has it that he was murdered by a courtesan in Sri Lanka during the reign of Kumaradasa.