
EVERYMAN'S LIBRARY EDITED BY ERNEST RHYS - POETRY AND THE DRAMA - KALIDASA - Translations of Shakuntala & Other Works - BY - ARTHUR W. RYDER
TRAVEL · SCIENCE · FICTION THEOLOGY & PHILOSOPHY HISTORY · CLASSICAL FOR YOUNG PEOPLE ESSAYS · ORATORY POETRY & DRAMA BIOGRAPHY REFERENCE ROMANCE
INTRODUCTION - KALIDASA—HIS LIFE AND WRITINGS - I
II
III
SHAKUNTALA A PLAY IN SEVEN ACTS
SHAKUNTALA
THE STORY OF SHAKUNTALA
THE TWO MINOR DRAMAS
THE DYNASTY OF RAGHU
Step into the world of ancient India with this eloquent translation of Kalidasa’s most beloved drama, the love‑laden tale of Shakuntala. The verses flow in clear, lyrical English, preserving the fragrant gardens, tender reunions and the delicate interplay of destiny and duty that have enchanted readers for centuries. Alongside the main play, the volume offers several of the poet’s shorter works, each a jewel of Sanskrit artistry rendered for modern ears.
The accompanying introduction invites listeners to meet Kalidasa himself, the mysterious fifth‑century poet whose life is woven from legend and reverence. It sketches the tales of his humble origins, the mythic rise to poetic brilliance, and the passionate admiration he inspired among his contemporaries. This scholarly framing enriches the experience, revealing why his verses continue to resonate across cultures and ages.
Language
en
Duration
~6 hours (383K characters)
Publisher of text edition
Project Gutenberg
Release date
Sep 5, 2005
Rights
Public domain in the USA.

Widely celebrated as one of ancient India’s greatest poets and dramatists, this classical Sanskrit writer shaped literary tradition with stories of love, longing, nature, and myth. His works, including Abhijnanashakuntala and Meghaduta, have traveled far beyond their own time and language.
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