Abhijñānaśākuntalam, also known as Shakuntala, The Recognition of Shakuntala, The Sign of Shakuntala, and many other variants, is a Sanskrit play by the ancient Indian poet Kālidāsa, dramatizing the story of Śakuntalā told in the epic Mahābhārata and regarded as the best of Kālidāsa's works. Its exact date is uncertain, but Kālidāsa is often placed in the 4th century CE.
Śakuntalā Looking Back to Glimpse Duṣyanta, scene from Shakuntala painted by Raja Ravi Varma.
Crying of Shakuntala
Indian plaque depicting the story of Shakuntala, found in the treasury of Ai-Khanoum, Bactria, 2nd century BCE.
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 contains a number of hymns in the form of dialogues, or even scenes, as well as hymns that make use of other literary forms such as animal fables However, Indian drama begins its classical stage in the 3rd-4th century BCE with the composition of the Nātyaśāstra. Indian classical drama is regarded as the highest achievement of Sanskrit literature.
A performance of the classical play Shakunthala with classical dancer Nirupama Rajendra (center) as the play's protagonist
King Udayana in Bhasa's Swapnavasavadattam Koodiyattam—the only surviving ancient Sanskrit theatre. (Artist:Mani Damodara Chakyar)
Famous Indian Dance Drama, Tantram by Srjan, Script written by Vanikavi