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Amar Chitra Katha #12
Shakuntala
When King Dushyanta first saw Shakuntala, he was struck by her incomparable beauty and gentle character. He made her his wife and vowed to take her back to his place. 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 dramatist and poet, Kalidasa.
32 pages, Paperback
First published November 28, 2010
85 people are currently reading
423 people want to read
About the author
Anant Pai
1,065 books229 followersAnant Pai popularly known as Uncle Pai, was an Indian educationalist and creator of Indian comics, in particular the Amar Chitra Katha series in 1967, along with the India Book House publishers, and which retold traditional Indian folk tales, mythological stories, and biographies of historical characters. In 1980, he launched Tinkle, a children's anthology, which was started under Rang Rekha Features, India's first comic and cartoon syndicate, that lasted till 1998, with him as the Managing Director.
Today, Amar Chitra Katha sells about three million comic books a year, in English and more than 20 Indian languages, and has sold about 100 million copies since it inception in 1967 by Anant Pai, and in 2007 was taken over by ACK Media.
Today, Amar Chitra Katha sells about three million comic books a year, in English and more than 20 Indian languages, and has sold about 100 million copies since it inception in 1967 by Anant Pai, and in 2007 was taken over by ACK Media.
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Displaying 1 - 28 of 28 reviews
February 7, 2021
Though the earliest recorded edition here shows 2007, I've had the book in the mid to late 90s. Lost my first copy and found another almost a decade later.
It was my first favorite story and continues to be even today.
It was my first favorite story and continues to be even today.
March 24, 2025
The story of Shakuntala is one of loyalty in the face of despair. A great lesson that has much to teach us even today. Questions of loyalty and acceptance are examined in a way that is very relatable to the reader. I find Amar Chitra Katha (ACK) comics a way to experience the rich cultural heritage of India in a very approachable way.
March 29, 2020
Beautiful story and well presented for the children to read and learn from our ancient Vedic history. Well done, Amar Chitra Katha.
March 4, 2026
I love this play. I love the prologue, the drama, the utter insanity of it all. Much like Greek theater its opulent and id love to read the differing accounts of Shakuntalas life as I know there's more heartbreaking versions out there.
December 31, 2019
The only story which I know so far. But there too the story of Bharat playing with lion cub is unknown....
January 11, 2025
great narration of shakuntala’s story, with beautiful illustrations! love love love amar chitra katha!
April 3, 2024
A beautiful book! A very recommended book of ACK (Amar Chitra Katha) series. Must read .
June 27, 2019
Have this in a bind-up of three. This one is my favorite in them.
August 8, 2019
Remember reading it in my school library
July 26, 2023
The Amar Chitra Katha, true to its name, remains Amar as children and elders all love to indulge in these comics even now. The credit goes to the pioneer in Indian Comics, Anant Pai who has given life to the characters of various Indian folklore and Mythology and made them more appealing to the readers. His efforts have not been wasted as this book, even though quite old, still holds the charm it had back in the day.
Shakuntala has been one of the finest creations of Kalidasa. Making a comic out of such an important piece of literature is a mammoth task. The characters have to be up to the mark and drawn in such a manner that we understand how they were described as they were in the play. Uncle Pai provides us with a beautiful rendering of the tale. It has fascinating illustrations made by K.P. Shankar, who has done justice to the characters, the background, the storyboard, everything. The story has also been left untouched without any unnecessary additions or changes which helps quite a lot as a true and useful source.
It could have been a five-star recommendation though; had the story not been as rushed as it was. Agreed that the number of pages is limited and we need to wrap it up asap, but the pace could have been a bit slower. The first half is somewhat rushed but fortunately, the remaining half is carefully and well explained. This saves the only fault to some extent as the second half is what includes the climax as well as the Happy Ending :)
All in all, Amar Chitra Katha's Shakuntala is s must read. It compels one to come open it and get to know about the beauty of Kalidasa's writing. It makes you feel the injustice Shakuntala faces from both her husband and parent. It makes us rejoice when everyone reunites in the end. I personally give it a 4/5 :))))
Shakuntala has been one of the finest creations of Kalidasa. Making a comic out of such an important piece of literature is a mammoth task. The characters have to be up to the mark and drawn in such a manner that we understand how they were described as they were in the play. Uncle Pai provides us with a beautiful rendering of the tale. It has fascinating illustrations made by K.P. Shankar, who has done justice to the characters, the background, the storyboard, everything. The story has also been left untouched without any unnecessary additions or changes which helps quite a lot as a true and useful source.
It could have been a five-star recommendation though; had the story not been as rushed as it was. Agreed that the number of pages is limited and we need to wrap it up asap, but the pace could have been a bit slower. The first half is somewhat rushed but fortunately, the remaining half is carefully and well explained. This saves the only fault to some extent as the second half is what includes the climax as well as the Happy Ending :)
All in all, Amar Chitra Katha's Shakuntala is s must read. It compels one to come open it and get to know about the beauty of Kalidasa's writing. It makes you feel the injustice Shakuntala faces from both her husband and parent. It makes us rejoice when everyone reunites in the end. I personally give it a 4/5 :))))
January 1, 2022
The story has been set back in the ancient ages of India. A beautiful fisherman's daughter, Shakuntala meets king Dushyant while he was hunting one day in the forest. The girl and the prince fell in love with each other and got married. After a few days, for an urgent meeting he had to return to his kingdom Hastinapur. The girl missed him a lot then. One day the sage Durvasa visits her home, but he gets upset as no one greets him as he arrives. He saw Shakuntala lost in her thoughts. The sage cursed her that whomever she's thinking about that person will forget her but only will remember her after he sees an object which he has given to her. The girl after a few days visits the king. But the king refuses to recognise her due to the curse. Now lets see how Shakuntala convinces him, which is the best part for me in the entire story. Readers you must read this to know the end. This story is still a legend and keeps getting passed down to generations. Its my favorite as this is how we come to know how India got its name Bharat. Must read.
October 9, 2022
When King Dushyanta first saw Shakuntala, he was struck by her incomparable beauty and gentle character. He made her his wife and vowed to take her to his palace. But a curse from the sage Durvasa erased her memory so completely from his mind that he failed to recognize her.
August 4, 2015
I love my amar chitra kathas!
November 25, 2018
How a child will take this comic book I don't know! Another thing seems to be ridiculous to me the intolerance in cursing. Anyway story's good.
January 30, 2019
A simple and lovely illustrated version of Kalidasa's wonderful drama.
May 23, 2022
Wonderful book loved it.
October 31, 2025
Shakuntala, The Forgotten Wife tells us about a character in Mahabharata on whose life Mahakavi Kalidasa composed a play in Sanskrit by the name of Abhigyan Shankuntalam. Shakuntala was the daughter of the nymph Menaka. But she grew up in the ashram of Sage Kanva. Shakuntala fell in love with the king of Hastinapur, Dushyanta, and later they were married. But Shakuntala was given a curse by Sage Durvasa due to which Dushyanta forgot to recognize his own wife. Later on when the effect of the curse was gone, Dushyanta remembered Shakuntala, and both lived happily. Shakuntala and Dushyanta had a boy child whom they named Bharat. It's a tale of love, separation, and reunion. The tale of Shakuntala also shows that 'true love is immortal.'
December 29, 2024
"Shakuntala" is also one of the Amar Chitra Katha comics. Shakuntala is the only daughter of a heavenly nymph Menaka and sage Vishwamitra. She was left near the hermitage of sage Kanva. One day, King Dushyant of Hastinapur visited the hermitage & was captivated by her beauty. He was desperate to marry her which he did. But he had to leave the hermitage and returned to Hastinapur for his duty. He promised that he would send the ministers to the hermitage to accompany Shakuntala to Hastinapur . Sage Durvasa 's curse had spoiled the chemistry between the couple. What happened next, you can find in the comic .This comic is truly amazing but very short. One can binge - read it in a day.
August 24, 2023
After reading this I always wanted to have a deer as a pet for myself. Chigri pet.
Just these pictures evoked in me a versatile self to be Shakunthala! Why did that happen? In too deep I went with the story. I asked myself and my amma if I was an orphan found in a forest? Ofcourse in a urban jungle at the hospital. But it was one wonderful day dream about many shakunthal pakshi and Shakunthala. I was in shock to see Raja Ravi Verma's painting and I put it as my dp on orkut. It made me feel so. Nostalgic paintings and Shakunthala.
Just these pictures evoked in me a versatile self to be Shakunthala! Why did that happen? In too deep I went with the story. I asked myself and my amma if I was an orphan found in a forest? Ofcourse in a urban jungle at the hospital. But it was one wonderful day dream about many shakunthal pakshi and Shakunthala. I was in shock to see Raja Ravi Verma's painting and I put it as my dp on orkut. It made me feel so. Nostalgic paintings and Shakunthala.
March 1, 2024
The test of true love was borne by wife!
The story is very strange in many ways. The way that the heroine was given birth. The way of life she left in the first, as she grew up! The way she met her future husband! The strangest thing is how he forgot his wife! The strange way, he met his wife again! The strange way, she forgave him! The strange way she prepared herself to go with her husband! God's strange ways to bring the two human souls, to wed them both!
The story is very strange in many ways. The way that the heroine was given birth. The way of life she left in the first, as she grew up! The way she met her future husband! The strangest thing is how he forgot his wife! The strange way, he met his wife again! The strange way, she forgave him! The strange way she prepared herself to go with her husband! God's strange ways to bring the two human souls, to wed them both!
April 9, 2020
Good. But our land भारत isn't named after दुष्यन्त पुत्र भरत.
August 13, 2020
Nice story
Book #2 in the new ACK series. Worth a read. Makes you nostalgic of your childhood days. ACK on Kindle ftw!
Book #2 in the new ACK series. Worth a read. Makes you nostalgic of your childhood days. ACK on Kindle ftw!
September 15, 2023
live, love, drama analysis class❤️
April 15, 2024
I like Amar Chitra Katha because it is an easy way for children to learn mythological stories.
September 5, 2025
How do I explain this to my undergrads
May 1, 2024
The whole story cooked because of sage Durvasa lmaooo.
September 9, 2024
this is still nice. a woodland girl spends her days frolicking with deer and weaving jasmine bracelets, until one day she encounters her king on a hunting expedition. they fall in love at first sight, marry like ‘forest people’ (a gandharva marriage, or a marriage of passion; named for amorous heavenly musicians and one of the eight classical forms of hindu marriage), and agree that he will send for her once he reaches his capital. unfortunately, she doesn’t greet a priest visiting her ashram with due respect and is cursed. and the story goes on from there. i thought her friends’ loyalty to her was the sweetest part :(
Displaying 1 - 28 of 28 reviews