Mahakavi Kalidas Biography: Among the ancient poets of India, the poet Kalidas is named after Valmiki and Vedavyas. At present, the scholars of the East and the West have also agreed that among all the poets who appeared in the world at all times, the great poet Kalidas deserves a place in the first row. The poetry of Mahakavi Kalidas (Kalidas) has earned him this rare honor.
Short Biography of Mahakavi Kalidas
Name | Kalidas |
Period | 4th or 5th century AD 300 AD |
Spouse | It is said, married a princess |
Language | Sanskrit, Prakrit |
Career | Poet and Dramatist |
Nationality | Indian |
Subject | Epic poetry, Puranas |
Death | 4th or 5th century AD 368 AD |
Notable works | Kumarasambhavam, Abhigyan Shakuntalam, Raghuvamsa, Meghdutam, Vikramevashi, Malavikagnimitra |
A biography of Kalidasa, the epic poet, from the fool
It is said that in the ancient kingdom of Ujjain there was a mischievous and arrogant princess named Kamala. She vows that whoever can beat her in a scriptural argument, she will accept him as her husband. But no one can beat him in argument.
Kalidas, an illiterate and speechless man, lived near Ujjainnagar on the banks of the Shipra river.
All the learned men of the kingdom reasoned and sent that stranger to princess Kamala to seize the princess. The man was so stupid that he would climb the tree in search of wood and start cutting the trunk of the branch on which he sat. He didn’t even have the slightest idea that he would fall to the ground with the cut branches. Pandits taught her to play the role of Beka Handa. Playing the role of a baker, he lost the princess. He showed two fingers when the princess showed one finger.
Then the princess got married to the foolish man according to the conditions. But Princess Kamala does not know that her husband is a great face. You can understand the real identity of the husband by going to the living room.
Then the princess got mad with anger and grief and threw her husband out of the house. He said – ‘Come back if you can become a human being someday.
Mahakavi Kalidas, the poet of the immortal poem ‘Meghdoot’ of Sanskrit literature, is the face and face of Princess Kamala’s husband. There is a saying that Kalidasa was really blunt and talkative in his childhood. Being humiliated by his wife, he developed a strong interest in education. He started studying. Finally, he returned to his wife after becoming well-versed in Vedas, Puranas, history, economics and poetry.
Not much is known about Kalidasa’s birth, career and personal life. There is a difference of opinion among the scholars. However, some information is known from his writings and the results of modern research.
Kalidasa may have later traveled to Ujjain, the capital of the Avanti and Darshana country, now known as Malava (located in ancient North-West India) and accepted service in the royal court of King Yashadharma Deva. He was one of the jewels of Vikramaditya Yashadharma Dev’s Navratna Sabha. After that he wrote all his Sanskrit poetry from this Ujjain.
During that period no significant poetry was written in Sanskrit literature outside Ramayana and Mahabharata.
Kalidasa decided that he would compose poetry. By trying in that way, the latent poetry talent within him woke up.
After that, one by one, his pen produced wonderful works like Abhigyan Shakuntalam, Raghuvansam, Kumarasambhavam, Meghdutam etc. in rhythm like poetry.
Kalidasa was the best poet of Sanskrit language. The number of books written by him is more than one hundred. But according to some there were two more Kalidas in Sanskrit. But Mahakavi Kalidasa means the royal poet Kalidasa of Ujjain. Ancient India
Literature is written in Sanskrit language. Mahakavi Kalidasa’s works nourished and enriched all three genres of Sanskrit literature, poetry, lyric and drama.
He wrote the epics Kumarasambhava and Raghuvamsa, the lyric Meghadoot and the dramas Abhigyan Shakuntalam, Malavikagnimitra and Vikramevashi. Another lyrical Ritusangam is generally accepted as his work, but some disagree.
Apart from this, there are some books which are not authored by Kalidasa, but published in his name, such as Ladaya Pushpabanvilas, Sringartilaka, Bhramarashtaka, Srutabedha, Sringarsar, Mangalashtaka etc.
Ancient India’s civilization, culture, rule of kings and even precise geographical descriptions of various places are available from various works of Kalidasa. The incomparable similes used in his works are also indicative of his achievements. The collection of books written by Mahakavi Kalidas has been appreciated by the scholars and humorists of the country and abroad.
Rabindranath about Mahakavi Kalidas
Kalidasa’s reputation as a poet remains dim despite the envy of his contemporary poet society. As strong as Kalidasa’s place in ancient Sanskrit literature is, Rabindranath had to endure many taunts. But the brilliance of Rabindra Pratibha triumphed in the end. Kalidasa and Rabindranath are the two greatest local poets representing ancient and modern India. The basic structure of the poetic psyche of both is bound up in so deep an intimate formula that it seems an absolute mystery to the poets. But where is the time of Kalidasa and where is Vidisha, where is that Dashan township, where is Nirvindhya – Shipra – Reba – Betravati, where is that Udayan Katha Kobid village elders’ group? Where else is the Thakurbari of Jorasanko Gali in the suburbs of Calcutta, bustling with crime in the 19th century? It was in this harsh reality that Rabindranath’s first initiation into Kalidasa’s poetry came from the family tutor.
“Mandakini-nirjhar- sikranang bora muhu kalpit – devadaru yadbayuranvisthamrigai: kira: tirasevyate vina sikhanditabarha.”
This verse of ‘Kumarasambhava’ sent an indescribable pain in the heart of the boy Rabindranath.
Death of Kalidas
4th or 5th century AD 368 Gupta Empire; Somewhere near the Himalayas.