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Ritusamharam

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Perhaps the most lively and exuberant of Kalidasa's extant works, Ritusamharam is a glorious ode to nature's bounty and the enduring emotional response it evokes in mankind as a whole.
Recounted as a celebration of the passing seasons, it is a feast for the senses, capturing the myriad facets of love and longing in a kaleidoscope of sumptuous imagery: the mischievous moonlight that, like a pining lover, steals glances at sleeping maidens; the monsoon-bloated rivers that rush to the sea with a lustful urgency; the flame of lovemaking that is kindled anew at the onset of winter; the heady scent of mango blossoms that makes even the most unyielding of hearts quiver. Even animals, big and small, are swept into the playful pattern of the great poet's lyrical homage.
A.N.D. Haksar's supple and spirited translation is accompanied by an absorbing introduction and notes that shed further light on this extraordinary work.

200 pages, Kindle Edition

First published October 1, 2001

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About the author

Kālidāsa

371 books186 followers
Poetry of Indian dramatist and lyric poet Kalidasa (circa 375-circa 415) represents the height of the kavya style, which his epic poem Raghuvamsha and his lyric poem Meghaduta exemplify.

Poeple widely regard Kālidāsa (Devanāgarī: कालिदास "servant of Kali") as the greatest renowned writer in the classical Sanskrit language.

We know nothing with certainty about the life of Kālidāsa apart from works but speculate about the place where he lived or the dates of his birth and death. According to legend, his known beauty brought him to the attention of Vidyottama, princess, who married him.
Kālidāsa, however, legendarily lacked much education, and his ignorance and coarseness shamed the princess. A devoted worshipper of Kali (by other accounts of Saraswati), Kālidāsa is said to have called upon his goddess for help when he was going to commit suicide in a well after he was humiliated by his wife, and was rewarded with a sudden and extraordinary gift of wit. He is then said to have become the most brilliant of the "nine gems" at the court of the king Vikramaditya of Ujjain. Legend also has it that he was murdered by a courtesan in Sri Lanka during the reign of Kumaradasa.

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Profile Image for Antu Paul.
116 reviews83 followers
August 15, 2025
“জলদ নিনাদ ঘোর পশিল শ্রাবণে
বিজলি চমকে ভয়ে যত নারীগণে
শয্যাপরে অপরাধী প্রাণেশে তখন
অঙ্গে অঙ্গে মিশাইয়া করে আলিঙ্গণ”
প্রকৃতির বাইরে অন্দরমহলে ষড়‌ঋতুর পালাবদল কেমন?!

ঋতুসংহার ছয়টি সর্গে রচিত কালিদাসের ঋড়‌ঋতুর বর্ণনামূলক কবিতা। ষড়‌ঋতুর কবিতা বললেই মনে আসে প্রকৃতির পালাবদলের চিত্র ফুটে উঠবে এরকম কবিতা। কিন্তু কালিদাসের ঋতুসংহার প্রকৃতিকে ছাপিয়ে পরিচিত পেয়েছে এর ‘আদিরসে’। অশ্লীল ভাবলে ভাবতে পারেন তবে তা চরম মাত্রায় নয়। তাছাড়া আমরা তৎসমবহুল শব্দের নগ্নতা উপভোগ করি যেখানে চলিত বাংলায় তা গা শিরশিরে অনুভূতি দেয়। অনুবাদ যেটা পড়েছি সেটা বিশ শতকের প্রথম দিকের অনুবাদ এবং মর্মোদ্ধারে বেশ বেগ পেতে হয়েছে বলেই এসব নিয়ে অশ্লীল চিন্তা মাথায় আসেনি।
তখনকার কবিতা মানেই কাহিনী কিন্তু ঋতুসংহার ব্যাতিক্রম। ছয়টি সর্গে ছয়টি ঋতুর নিসর্গ আর সময়ের ডাকে মানব মনের সাড়া দেওয়ার চিত্রকল্প তুলে ধরা।

গ্রীষ্মের প্রকৃতি রুক্ষ; কবি প্রকৃতির রুক্ষতা দীর্ঘায়তি করেননি। তবে ইতর প্রাণীদের গ্রীষ্মের যন্ত্রণা ফুটে উঠেছে বেশি। Animal Planet এর ডকুমেন্টারি দেখার মতো আরকি!

এরপর বর্ষাযাপনের চিত্রে মেঘদূতের মতো প্রশান্তি তবে আরও বিস্তৃত। বর্ষাস্নাত প্রকৃতির বর্ণনায় কালিদাস সেরা। তবে নরনারীর একান্ত বর্ষাযাপনে ঋতুসংহারে মৃদু আদিরসের প্রবেশ।
“নববারিধারারূপ খর শর-বরিষণে
প্রাদানিছে বড় ব্যাথা প্রবাসীর মনে
শরতের নীলাকাশ, পুঞ্জ পুঞ্জ সাদা তুলোমেঘ, শিউলির সুগন্ধ, সবুজ ধানখেত, মৃদু শীতল সমীরণ, নির্মল আকাশে উজ্জ্বল চাঁদ ঋতুসংহারে উঠে এসেছে অপূর্ব কারুকাজে। সাথে যুবতীদের সাজসজ্জার বিপুল আয়োজন যা এখনকার মেকআপ সুন্দরীদেরও লজ্জা দেবে!

এত সাজসজ্জার আয়োজন এবার কাজে দেবে হেমন্ত। হিমকণায় স্নিদ্ধ নরনারীর বাসনায় গুরুভার শৃঙ্গাররস ঢেলেছেন কালিদাস।
“রতিশ্রমে ক্ষীণদেহ পাণ্ডুর বদন
আনন্দে উৎফুল্ল হয়ে যত নারীগণ,
দন্তক্ষত ওষ্ঠাধর করি দরশন,
উচ্চকণ্ঠে হাসিবারে পারে না এখন ॥

স্তনযুগে করলেখা শোভিছে কেমন
অধরে দশন চিহ্ন করিছে ঘোষণ
নবীন যৌবনা আহা যত নারীগণ
করেছে নির্দয়ে অতি সম্ভোগ সেবন”
হেমন্তের পাকা ধানের মাঠ থেকে কবি শীতে গৃহকোণে ফিরেছেন। প্রকৃতি কুয়াশাচাদরে লুকিয়ে, তাই গৃহস্থের জীবনের চিত্রে শীত কিছুটা নির্জীব।

তবে বসন্তে আবার প্রাণ ফিরে পেয়েছে কালিদাসের কলম। আমের মুকুলের সৌরভে ভ্রমরের গুনগুন আর কোকিলে কূজনে মধুকাল তার আগমনবার্তা সুন্দরী কামিনীদের আবার কামভাবাপন্ন করে তুলেছে, কাম-বাদে মদনদেব ব্যাথিত করছে যুব-মন।
“পলাশ কুসুম যত বায়ু ভরে অবনত
প্রজ্বলিত বহ্নি সম চারিভিত্তে শোভিছে;
তাহে নব বধু সম ধরা রাণী অনুপম
রক্ত বাস পরি মধু মধুকালে মোহিছে”

গণপতি সরকার বেশ গুছিয়ে সাজিয়েছেন; প্রথমে মূল পঙ্‌ক্তিগুলো, তারপর অর্থান্বয় অংশে ভেঙে ভেঙে সংস্কৃত শব্দের বাংলা অর্থ দিয়েছেন যেটা মূল কবিতার ভাষা বুঝতে খুব সাহায্য করেছে। এরপর সংস্কৃতে বিমলপ্রভা ভাষ্য যেটা স্কিপ করতেই হতো এবং সবশেযে বাংলা অনুবাদ। অনুবাদের সময়কাল মাথায় রেখে বলছি ভাষায় আরও আধুনিক হলে আরও ভালো হতো আর অতিরিক্ত তৎসমঘেষা প্রতিশব্দ ছিল যার সামান্য কয়টিরই অর্থ দেওয়া ছিল টীকায়। তৎসম শব্দ আরও কমালে কিংবা সহজ প্রতিশব্দ ব্যবহার করলে উত্তম হতো।

যাহোক এটা এত আদিরসাত্মক তা হেমন্তে পৌঁছানোর আগ পর্যন্ত জানতাম না!
Profile Image for Antu Paul.
116 reviews83 followers
August 17, 2025
ভূমিকায় অনুবাদক লিখেছেন এই অনুবাদ কালিদাসের ঋতুসংহারের অবিকল নয়; যেসব শ্লোক অশ্লীল ছিল তা বাদ দেওয়া হয়েছে।

এটাও বিশ শতকের শুরুর দিকের অনুবাদ। তর্জমার ভাষাটা সহজ এবং গতানুগতিক।
প্রথম সর্গটুকু পড়ে খুব ভালো লাগলেও পরে পদ্যে রূপান্তরের মান একটু পড়ে গেছে বলে মনে হয়েছে।
Profile Image for Anka.
1,115 reviews65 followers
July 9, 2016
Das erste indische Buch, das ich bisher gelesen habe, was ich gerne mochte. Da es sich um einen Gedichtzyklus handelt, werde ich mir wohl indische Lyrik näher anschauen. Vielleicht gefällt mir diese ja allgemein besser als indische zeitgenössische Prosa.
Profile Image for Alokita.
135 reviews7 followers
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March 21, 2021
Giving it a rating is probably doing injustice to the great work.
The text is a study in comparison or the in stylistic terms, various figures of speech or as in hindi we might call it, 'alankaar'. Given the caveat that English is barely sufficient as a language to describe the beauty of Indian landscape, the book is still a good starting point for readers who want to explore Kalidas's work without having the comfort of knowledge of Hindi/Sanskrit.
The points that made a distinct impact on my mind while reading the work are as follows:
1. India definitely has more than 04 seasons and probably only poets and scientists can distinguish them.
2. People including me need to learn more about indigineous flora and fauna. And after learning about them also try to appreciate their links to the natural weather phenomenon.
3. Who says Indian culture is prudish! Every season showcases not only the different aspects of nature, but also different aspects of human desire.
4. The focus of beauty and desire is mostly women, but considering the fact that this text is probably written for a male audience by a male poet, nothing surprising. The good part of the representation is that there is nobody shaming women for being voluptuous and supple.
5. Human beings and animals share a close resemblance in how they respond to nature and change of season. The world of nature is intrinsically interlinked and should be seen and preserved as such,
Profile Image for Julia Gomes.
54 reviews1 follower
January 23, 2024
Essa edição é ótima. O projeto gráfico é lindo. Sobre a poesia, acho que a alegria me cansou um pouco. Claro, as aproximações são de uma singularidade! Mulheres como gansos selvagens, a baba dos animais no cio como uma brisa que enlouquece a paisagem; mas as imagens acabam se repetindo sempre com o mesmo tom, apontam para o amor, para a exaltação do feminino. Esse movimento circular retira um pouco da força das comparações, do entusiasmo, da particularidade de cada estação, já que os sentimentos permanecem sempre os mesmos. Gosto do fato do inverno e outono serem também exaltados, mas a melancolia me fez até falta.
Profile Image for Mehar.
142 reviews
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February 4, 2025
it seems fitting that i should read classic sanskrit poetry while i am in india, and kalidasa is one of the most well-known indian writers. while this is probably so much more rhythmic and rich in the original language, the english translation got the message through.

the poetry is laden with beautiful imagery, although it became kind of repetitive because all the poems were about roughly the same topics and had very similar descriptions and imagery. by the 40th description of trees and women's "bosoms", i was rather exhausted.

but it was interesting to see the description of nature and seasons in india, especially because i didn't know many of the plants and wildlife described. also interesting to see the culture of india back in the early ADs. with the way he writes, it seems like topics that are considered more private now in india were talked about freely, as the poet describes lovers' behaviors changing with the seasons in pretty evocative terms.
Profile Image for Mariana Orantes.
Author 16 books121 followers
July 4, 2014
Al parecer de la serie de poemas sobre las estaciones de Kalidasa, esta es una de las poquísimas ediciones hechas en México, bien cuidadas y en un formato hermoso. Las páginas están bellamente ilustradas por Alma Tapia, exiliada española en México a raíz de la guerra civil. También de exiliados españoles es la editorial Centauro (donde está publicado este y otros libros bajo la colección Amor y poesía en Oriente). En fin, es una delicia leerlo, muy recomendable aunque no sé qué tan accesible al mundo sea esta edición. Tal vez no sería mala idea digitalizarla. Dejo algo que encontré en este blog sobre tres libros de la colección Amor y poesía en oriente divididos en cuatro partea, aquí la primera: http://luismariamarina.blogspot.com/2...
42 reviews6 followers
February 24, 2012
The joy in the rainy season is described by the dance of the peacocks, clouds, blossoming flowers, pain of seperation, etc.
Profile Image for mahesh.
271 reviews26 followers
February 1, 2024
Kalidasa's writing and poetic skills seem to have improved compared to Malavikagnimitraham. Even though I am not in a position to review the poetic skills of Kalidasa. My opinion is just based on the waves of emotion that erupted from his writings.
In this poetry, Kalidasa used his poems to admire the vibrant changes in seasons of India throughout the year, and also intertwined the passion that erupts among man and woman with the change of season in his poetry. His keen sense of observation of subtle changes in nature is magical, They are simple but profound.
His subtle observation of changes in the atmosphere, its influence on human behavior, their yearning, and their diverse passion deserve attention.
I grew up in a village surrounded by fresh blooming lotus, Water lilies, Dancing peacocks, the Fragrance of wild jasmine, a Fully blossomed May flower tree, and a Breeze of fresh air. However, I never had a sense of appreciation like Kalidas towards the subtle changes of nature, After reading his works my sense of appreciation has drastically improved towards the simple pleasure of life. Must read for those who appreciate the simple pleasure life has to offer.
Even though it revolves around nature, Kama Deva is the main character here. Kama is the subtle and profound theme in Kalidasa's works, But he makes Kama a more beautiful contrast to the grotesque poetry we have in the name of erotism.
Kalidas seems to admire wider hips in women, Sandle paste on them, Pain of longing for lover in them, Redened lips and decorating them with flowers through his poems.
When I look back at my childhood, Jayaprada played a Vidyadhare character in Kaviratna Kalidasa. She was dressed as same as the description of Kalidasa, Even the scenes in the movie served greater justice to Kalidasa's works.
Its time to rewatch Kaviratna Kalidasa.
Profile Image for Natasha.
Author 3 books88 followers
September 1, 2025
I have been wanting to read Kalidasa's Ritusamhara ever since I attended a show inspired by the work, and even procured an English translation by RS Pandit. However, reading PDFs is a bit inconvenient and the book remained unread for several years.
Reading it was a mixed experience. On one hand, I loved the detailed descriptions of the seasons, but on the other, I was underwhelmed by the quality of translation. I am sure Pandit's translation is accurate, but the verses lacked the lyricism and rhythm which is essential in memorable poetry. Also, the English words for the six seasons lack the imagery of Grishma, Varsha, Sharat, Hemant, Sheesh and Vasant.
The poetry, itself is evocative. You can almost visualise each of the seasons- the flowering trees, the migratory birds, the seasonal behaviour of birds and animals. Even humans love differently according to seasons- from the pangs of separation when men go abroad in Summer to scared women clinging to their lovers during monsoon thunderstorms. It is also the immortal love story of Shiva and Parvati.
Perhaps as interesting as the book itself was the story of how it came to be written. Freedom fighter, RS Pandit (better known as the husband of Vijaylakshmi Pandit), was lodged in Naini Jail when he started working on the translation. Did imagining the change of seasons help him cope with behind bars?
Will I read another translation of Ritusamhara? I might, but only if it comes highly recommended by someone I trust. I would love to read a version that presents the poem in its original form instead of attempting to give it a 'Western' structure. I read the poem as a part of #2025indiantranslationreadathon.
4 reviews
February 18, 2021
The historicity of the text begins with a controversy whether the work itself belongs to Kalidasa or not. It maybe is lower than his other works in the sense of metaphors or is a piece from his early writings.

Keeping all of that away, the work definitely deserves attention. The author have undertaken a prolific task of reviewing various seasons from his time. The connect within nature and people is vibrant. From flowers to trees and waters to skies, Kalidasa observes and personifies every bit of it. The Kama is prevalent in the text as Kalidasa portrays desires of men and women through different seasons. It might come off as ‘objectifying women’ but looking at it from their context portrays ‘admiration of beauty’. A.N.D. Haskar’s translation and Kalidasa’s words smell and feel beautiful through all the six seasons. The nature is evolving but still is beautiful. We need the right form of desire to understand and appreciate its beauty.
Profile Image for | Shakshi  |.
402 reviews6 followers
July 8, 2022
Well, I don't think so I have this audacity to rate a brilliant work by an extraordinary poet.

Still, as I am here to share my views on anything and everything that I am reading so here it is:

• This is a really very under rated work as nobody properly speaking about this collection at all.

• A much-neglected collection of poems that speaks about fulfillment of love and desires.

• Only a poet like Kalidasa can form such verses that even creates beauty into things that we count as "Vulgar" or "Vulnerable" .

Truly a beautiful collection...
Now I wanna read the original version- its Sanskrit verse as soon as possible.
12 reviews11 followers
April 1, 2020
The copy that I had with me, was a Sanskrit Text with English translation done by N. P. Unni. And really, the translations were really really up to the mark. I especially liked the description of Autumn (Sharadrutu) and Spring (Vasantarutu).
The imagination and writing style really is off the top!
My favourite shlok from the entire cycle of seasons, is Canto III, verse 7. It really is a special one!
Profile Image for Júlia.
132 reviews4 followers
December 27, 2025
A noite, como uma adolescente
que dentro em pouco irá se tornar púbere,
desembaraçou-se das nuvens que velavam a face da lua;
ela tirou do seu escrínio joias de estrelas aos milhares,
e ei-la que surge no seu vestido sem mancha,
tecido com raios de luar.

lindíssima edição.
Profile Image for Sayeed Lincoln.
16 reviews3 followers
April 6, 2020
নিতান্তনীলোৎপলপত্রকান্তিভিঃ
ক্বচিৎ প্রভিন্নাঞ্জনরাগসন্নিভৈঃ
ক্বচিৎ সগর্ভপ্রমদাস্তনপ্রভৈঃ
সমাচিতং ব্যোম ঘনৈঃ সমন্ততঃ
Profile Image for Tejaswini The Soulful Scripturient.
81 reviews16 followers
April 19, 2023
I don't have absolutely any qualifications to rate or review a work by such a classic poet so I'm just giving 5 stars default to every work of his I read
Profile Image for Marcus Maximus.
19 reviews11 followers
September 17, 2020
Only Kalidas can present comparison of nature with human and desires of human. Surely poetry opens several dimensions. A good leisure read.
Profile Image for Bono Bono.
12 reviews3 followers
December 21, 2023
Ritusamharam, it is a collection of subhashita, or ‘well said’ poetic epigrams about the different seasons according to which ancient Indians divided the whole year ...poet’s deep feeling for natural scenes and human emotions portrayed in these poems.
The invocations in Ritusamharam bring natural features to life. These include light and darkness, flaming fire and streaming rain, fierce heat and frosty cold, winds and clouds, hills and rivers, trees and flowers, farms and fields. For lovers with tinch of erotism and interests that seasons has affects is as captivating as dazzling delightful read.
poem extract..
"Gardens charming
and adorned
with jasmine blossoms
white and gleaming,
like the smile
of a beautiful bride,
steal the hearts
even of sages free of passion
— what to say of the minds of men,
sullied and stained by lust?"
Profile Image for Drushti.
164 reviews
August 10, 2024
1.5/5
The amount of time breasts, bosom or hips has appeared in this book istg it was so annoying. The poetry is extremely one dimensional. The only ones i liked were from the rainy season only. Pretty meh otherwise.
Profile Image for Miguel Ángel García Sánchez.
18 reviews
March 6, 2025
Un bonito poema sobre las estaciones desde la perspectiva hindú que pone de manifiesto las diferencias tanto culturales como del entorno físico que existen entre los habitantes de la India y el público lector, en este caso español.
Me encantaría poder disfrutar de este poema en su lengua original si tan solo lograse comprenderla.
Profile Image for Radhika Ayalur.
102 reviews17 followers
August 2, 2015
Stunning imagery in descriptions of the seasons- the picture of predator and prey stilled by an unforgiving summer was one of the most enduring images in this volume of verses.
Displaying 1 - 23 of 23 reviews

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