About the Book
Sanskrit, the language of the elite in ancient India, inspired great literary works. This collection contains adaptations of five famous plays from Sanskrit literature.
Shakuntala, by Kalidasa, tells of the stirring romance between King Dushyanta and the divinely beautiful, Shakuntala.
Urvashi, also by Kalidasa, tells the story of a celestial dancer who is unable to forget a chance encounter with a human king.
Adapted from Bhasa's play Swapnavasavadatta, Udayana is an exciting romance full of twists and intrigues as is Ratnavali, said to be written by Emperor Harsha.
Vasantasena, though a romance, has a political theme and has been adapted from King Shudraka's Mrichchhkatikam.
SHAKUNTALA
When King Dushanta frist saw Shakuntala, He was struck by her incomparable beauty and gentle character. He made her his wife and vowed totake her back to his palace. But a curse from the sage Durvasa erased her memory so completely from his mind that he failed to recognise her. Much later, when the curse was broken he realised his mistake but it was too late .... or so it seemed to be.
The story of Shakuntala first appeared in the Mahabharata. It was later adapted into a play by the Sanskrit drornofist ane poet, Kalidasa.
URVASHI
Urvashi's beauty takes King Pururavas' breath away. He is besotted. He forgets his duties as a king and is absent-minded with his wife, Aushinari. Both gods and humans are involved in the dramatic twists and turns of his romance with the charming apsara, who dances for Lord Indra himself. Eventually, stumbling through their highs and lows, King Pururavas and Urvashi finally find their way to everlasting joy.
UDAYANA
King Udayana was a lucky man. He was handsome and strong, and had the love of two beautiful princesses. He also had the undying loyalty of able ministers. They pulled every trick in the book to ensure that he overcame his enemies and won back, not only his vast kingdom, but the happiness he richly deserved.
VASANTASENA
Noble though penniless, the handsome Charudatta is the love of Vasantasena's life, but scoundrels and misguided friends threaten their happiness. Their tale, told by Shudraka in his Sanskrit play written 2,000 years ago, presents a picture of bustling town life at the time. Excitement and adventure lurk around every corner, and sudden twists and turns make this a classic nail-biting romantic thriller.
RATNAVALI
King Udayana was in a dilemma: he had won the love of the beautiful Ratnavali, but how could he break the heart of his queen, Vasavadatta? Was a chance shipwreck going to wreck the peace and happiness of his home as well? Sagacious statesmen, loyal friends and even talking birds help in a romance which reveals all the subtleties of palace life so familiar to that master playwright, the 7th-century poet-king Harsha of Kanauj.
For privacy concerns, please view our Privacy Policy
Send as free online greeting card
Email a Friend
Manage Wishlist