John Oldman
John Oldman

@PrasunNagar

14 Tweets 29 reads Sep 11, 2022
Ancient Indian Dramatists and Playwrights
The following thread would detail the names and works of ancient Indian playwrights, whose works have enriched our literature, and made their names immortal in our culture.
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1. Bhasa ( 1st century BCE)
One of the most celebrated Sanskrit playwrights, Bhāsa has written at least 13 plays.
His plays were lost untill rediscovered in 1913.
Famous works: Uru-bhangam, Karna-bhara, Dootaghatotkacha, Svapnavasavadattam, etc
"Shall we neglect the works of such illustrious authors as Bhāsa, Saumilla, and Kaviputra? Can the audience feel any respect for the work of a modern poet, a Kālidāsa?"
-- Kālidasa on Bhāsa
2. Aśvaghoį¹£a ( c. 100 AD)
Aśvaghoį¹£a is perhaps one of the greatest Sanskrit poets.
Born in Saketa, he was perhaps an advisor to Kanishka, and wrote in classical Sanskrit, despite being a Buddhist.
Famous works: Buddhacharita, Saundarananda, Sutralankara, Sāriputraprakarna
Shudraka ( 3rd century AD)
'Shudraka' (little servant) is a pen name of an anonymous playwright of ancient India.
Konow proposes that Shudraka was a pen name of Shivadatta - an Abhira king of 3rd century.
Famous plays: Mrichakattikam, Padmaprabhritaka, Vina-Vasavadatta
4. Vishakdatta ( 6th century AD)
A prince of a kingdom in North India, Vishakdatta is one of the most celebrated authors of classical Sanskrit.
Famous works: Mudra-Rakshsam, Devichandraguptam (lost)
5. Emperor Harsha ( 590-647 AD)
One of the greatest kings of India, Harsha, not only was a king and an able administrator, but a most celebrated author in his own rights.
Famous works: Ratnavali, Nagananda, Priyadarsika
6. Banabhatta (c. 620 AD)
One of the greatest writers, Mahakavi Bananbhatta was a court poet of Harsha.
Famous works: Harshcharita, Kadambari, Caį¹‡įøikāśataka, PārvatÄ«pariṇaya
"banochhistam jagatsarvam"
Bana has described everything in this world and nothing is left.
7. Mahendravarman -I (600-630 AD)
Mahendravarman -I was a famous Pallava king.
He was a great conqueror, and patron of art and music
He is credited with building Mamallapuram lightouse & Kanchi University.
Famous works: Mattavilasa Prahasana, Bhagavadajjuka
8. Sakthibhadran (8th century)
Sakthibhadran was a native of Kerala, who lived in perhaps 8th century AD.
A legend on his life states that he was a disciple of Adi Shanakaracharya.
Famous works: Ascharyachoodamani
9. Bhavabhūti (8th century AD)
Hailing from Vidarbha, Bhavabhuti's works have been described as "equal to those of Kālidasa."
It is believed that he was a court poet of Kannauj.
Famous works: Mahavir-charita, Malati-Madhava, Uttararamacarita (The later life of Rāma)
10. Kālidasa ( 5th century AD)
Last but not the least.. Kālidasa is perhaps the greatest Indian playwright and poet.
He was court poet of Chandragupta Vikramaditya.
Famous works: Meghdootam, Raghuvamsa, Abhigyaan-shakuntalam, Vikram-Urvashi, Kumarasambhava, Malvikaagnimitram
"When Kālidāsa's sweet sayings, charming with sweet sentiment, went forth, who did not feel delight in them as in honey-laden flowers?".
-- Banabhatta on Kālidas
End
@rattibha , compile

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