Kaalidasa (कािलदास) is arguably India's greatest Sanskrit poet and dramatist, his title 'Kavikulaguru' ('Preceptor of All Poets') bearing testimony to his stature. Known to be an ardent worshipper of Shiva, he wrote his plays and poetry largely based around Hindu mythology and philosophy. The exact dates of his life are disputed. Some Indian scholars believe he existed around 1st Century BC, but others believe that his works may have been written around the middle of the 4th and 5th centuries A.D, during the reigns of Chandragupta Vikramaaditya , and his successor, Kumaaragupta .

He was one of the so-called nine gems of Vikramaaditya's court in Ujjain. The earlier claim pointing to his existence around 1st century BC, is supported by his play on the Sunga king Agnimitra who belonged to that period. It is very unlikely that he would have made this obscure king the hero of his play unless he belonged to that period. The Vikrama calendar also begins with 58-57 BC. However, not much is known about his personal life and background, though there are several legends and tales about his life.

Three famous plays attributed to Kalidas are Maalavikaagnimitra (Maalavikaa and Agnimitra), Vikramuurvashiiya (Pertaining to Vikrama and Urvashi)and Abhignaanashaakuntala (The Recognition of Sakuntala). The work listed last is his most famous play, and was the first of his to have been translated to English and German.

Kalidas is also known for his famous poems. His two famous epic poems are Kumaarasambhavam (The Birth of Kumaara) and Raghuvamsha (The Clan of Raghu), and two famous lyrical poems are Maeghaduuta (The Cloud Messenger) and Rtusamhaara (The Exposition on different seasons).

External Links

• Biography of Kalidasa
• Kalidasa Poems