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97th out of 100 books
—
379 voters
The Recognition of 'Sakuntala: A Play in Seven Acts
by
Kālidāsa
Kalidasa's play about the love of King Dusyanta for Sakuntala, a monastic girl, is the supreme work of Sanskrit drama by its greatest poet and playwright (c.4th century CE). Overwhelmingly erotic in tone and in performance, The Recognition of Sakuntala aimed to produce an experience of aesthetic rapture in the audience, comparable to certain types of mystical experience.
Th
...morePaperback, 192 pages
Published
November 15th 2001
by Oxford University Press, USA
(first published 400)
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Sep 16, 2009
Dusty
rated it
4 of 5 stars
·
review of another edition
Recommended to Dusty by:
Elizabeth Richmond-Garza
Shelves:
graduate-school,
read-in-2009
The story is maddeningly simple: While hunting, King Dusyanta wanders into an ascetic commune, sees a beautiful woman (Sakuntala), promises to make her first amongst his wives, impregnates her, returns to his palace and, through an inconvenient curse, he forgets all about her. Years pass, the curse is reversed, he realizes his mistake, and he pines to find and claim his lost wife Sakuntala. You've probably already guessed the ending, but in case your imagination is creaky today, I'll give you a...more
Oud-Indisch toneelstuk in zeven bedrijven over de mythische koning Dusyanta die tijdens een jachtpartij verliefd wordt op de mooie kluizenaarsdochter Sakuntala (Eerste bedrijf).
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This play was written in Sanskrit in northern India in the fourth or firth century CE. Sanskrit has a rich dramatic tradition dating back to the fourth Century BCE and this play is generally considered the greatest example. It is a Romance, where the king and the adopted daughter of a forest ascetic fall in love, and after some vicissitudes, live happily ever after. The purpose of Sanskrit literature is (on the level of glib generalization) to evoke one of a list of moods (the razas) in an educa...more
The play Sakoontala is charming, sweet, and romantic much like Romeo and Juliet. Sakoontala endures much for her husband, but I feel the play develops her character and that of the others well.
I think the scene between the king and his son rings true as they interact as you would expect a father and son to.
The only criticism is the curse involved in the play. It seems arbitrary and forced as a plot device.
I think the scene between the king and his son rings true as they interact as you would expect a father and son to.
The only criticism is the curse involved in the play. It seems arbitrary and forced as a plot device.
Not particularly exciting, but Kalidasa is superb at manipulating emotions....I laughed so hard at some of the opinions expressed by his characters. Especially the "He's handsome, so he's gotta be nice!" train of thought.
it's a beautiful story that's simple and has equally as beautiful writing there are some quotes in it that are among my favorite ever
The style reminds me a lot of Song of Solomon from the Bible; it deals with a lot of poetry. Beautifully written.
A very nice read! Kalidasa's play does quite give justice to Shakuntala, whose story seems short and in need of necessary details. The notes in this edition (as well as Shakuntala's story in the Mahabharata) were very, very helpful in understanding the story better, too.
Oct. 9, 2010:
I can already tell I'm in for a good read, with just a few pages in. The words are so lovely, and the story so simply romantic. Can't wait to read more :D
Oct. 9, 2010:
I can already tell I'm in for a good read, with just a few pages in. The words are so lovely, and the story so simply romantic. Can't wait to read more :D
4 stars for the time at which this work was done and you enjoy it best in the original language...
Aug 23, 2008
Ted Milne
rated it
3 of 5 stars
Recommends it for:
Someone interested in a quick light read.
Recommended to Ted by:
Supposed to be one of the top 100 books ever written
Not that impressed but I guess I did somewhat enjoy reading it, though twas a trifle predictable.
Espléndido drama hindú del eminente poeta y dramaturgo Kalidasa
A more interesting version of Romeo & Juliet
Intriguing. A bit alien. That's good, BTW.
simple story, deep thoughts.
شکونتلا
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Kālidāsa (Devanāgarī: कालिदास "servant of Kali") was a renowned Classical Sanskrit writer, widely regarded as the greatest poet and dramatist in the Sanskrit language.
Nothing apart from his works is known with certainty about the life of Kālidāsa, such as where he lived or the dates of his birth and death. According to legend, he was known for his beauty, which brought him to the attention of Prin...more
More about Kālidāsa...
Nothing apart from his works is known with certainty about the life of Kālidāsa, such as where he lived or the dates of his birth and death. According to legend, he was known for his beauty, which brought him to the attention of Prin...more
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