Kalidasa for the 21st Century Reader: Selected Poetry and Drama

Author of eight books of poetry and two books of translation, Mani Rao's latest translation of Kālidāsā's poems and plays have helped to bring to life the epic masterpieces of the classical Indian writer through the use of lyrical, contemporary language.Widely regarded as one of the greatest poets and dramatists in Sanskrit, Kālidāsā's writings are thought to date back to the Gupta period. The life of the writer has long been a subject of historical speculation and mystery. It is believed that Kālidāsā was a simple man of humble birth, who was married off to a princess with the help of the king's minister. Sadly, the princess regarded Kālidāsā as an inferior match. The goddess Kāli took pity on him and gave him the gift of poetry, turning him into the greatest Sanskrit poet.