Classical Tamil Literature and the Works of Kalidasa – A Comparative Perspective

ஒப்பியல் நோக்கில் - தமிழ் செவ்விலக்கியங்களும் காளிதாசரின் படைப்புகளும்

Abstract

In the Sanskrit literary tradition, Kalidasa holds a highly esteemed position. However, there is no precise definition or universally accepted period for the time in which Kalidasa lived. From the opinions of various scholars, it is understood that Kalidasa was born in Kashmir and lived in Ujjain. According to traditional legends, he was a contemporary of King Bhoja. Scholarly opinions vary widely regarding his period, ranging from 1st century BCE to 5th century CE. According to V. Srinivasa Raghav Iyengar (1982), Kalidasa’s lifetime fluctuates between these centuries. Moreover, Keith, the first commentator on Kumarasambhava and a historian of Sanskrit literature, suggests that “Kalidasa must have lived before 472 CE and most probably around 400 CE.” Indian scholars’ conclusions and estimations differ significantly, as their assessments extend from the 1st century BCE to the 5th century CE. Thus, determining the exact period of Kalidasa remains an open scholarly debate.