Indian classical drama
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The term Indian classical drama refers to the tradition of dramatic literature and performance in ancient India. The roots of drama in the Indian subcontinent can be traced back to the Rigveda, which
A performance of the play Shakuntala
A Koodiyattam performance of Bhasa's Swapnavasavadattam
Shakuntala (play)
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Abhijnanashakuntalam, also known as Shakuntala, The Recognition of Shakuntala, The Sign of Shakuntala, is a Sanskrit play by the ancient Indian poet Kalidasa, dramatising the story of Shakuntala told
Indian classical drama
…famous romantic plays written by Kālidāsa are the Mālavikāgnimitram (Mālavikā and Agnimitra), Vikramōrvaśīyam (Pertaining to Vikrama and Urvashi), and Abhijñānaśākuntalam (The Recognition of Shakuntala). The last was inspired by a story in the Mahabharata and is the most famous. It was the first to be translated into…
Shakuntala looking back to catch a glimpse of Dusyanta, scene from Shakuntala painted by Raja Ravi Varma
Indian plaque depicting the story of Shakuntala, found in the treasury of Ai-Khanoum, Bactria, 2nd century BCE
Kalidasa's version features much dramatised variant of the tale. One of Kalidasa's additions includes the sage Durvasa cursing Shakuntala (pictured; print by BP Banerjee).
Palm-leaf manuscript cover illustrated with scenes from Kalidasa’s Shakuntala play, Kathmandu Valley, Nepal, circa 12th century