‘In Kalidasa’s Works, Woman Is Not Merely a Subject of Beauty’: Gajendra Singh Shekhawat
New Delhi, August 25: The Kala Nidhi Division of the Indira Gandhi National Centre for the Arts (IGNCA) organised the launch and discussion of Kaho Kalidasa!, a novel by author Yugul Joshi, at the Samvet Auditorium in New Delhi. Published by Manjul Publishing House, the book seeks to explore the life, creative personality and literary world of the legendary Sanskrit poet Kalidasa through a blend of historical reflection and imagination.
Union Minister for Culture and Tourism Gajendra Singh Shekhawat attended the programme as Chief Guest, while IGNCA Chairman Ram Bahadur Rai presided over the event. NITI Aayog Member Dr. Joram Aniya was the Guest of Honour. Prof. K. Anil Kumar, Head of the Kala Nidhi Division, delivered the welcome and introductory remarks. Author Yugul Joshi spoke about the inspiration behind the book and his creative approach to portraying Kalidasa.
Reimagining Kalidasa Through His Literature
Addressing the gathering, Shekhawat observed that imagination is an enduring dimension of human existence and one of the qualities that distinguishes human beings. He said the event was more than a conventional book launch, as it provided an opportunity to revisit the many unanswered questions surrounding Kalidasa, whose personal history remains largely undocumented.
With limited reliable information available about the poet’s life, Joshi has attempted to reconstruct possible facets of his personality by examining the emotions, ideas and subtle indications embedded in Kalidasa’s literary works. Shekhawat noted that the narrative draws readers into Kalidasa’s world while attempting to understand the poet through the very literature he created.
The Minister emphasised that writers, artists and cultural figures shape society through their creative contributions and help build a cultural inheritance for future generations. He described the title Kaho Kalidasa! as an intimate invitation to engage in a dialogue with the ancient poet from the perspective of the present.
The novel explores themes associated with Kalidasa’s works, including love, separation, duty, nature and human relationships. Particular attention is given to the portrayal of women in his literature.
Women in Kalidasa’s Literature
Shekhawat highlighted the distinctive place of women in Kalidasa’s literary universe, stating that “In Kalidasa’s works, woman is not merely a subject of beauty.” According to him, Kalidasa presented women as figures embodying consciousness, dignity, emotional depth and love.
He also underlined the difference between history and literature. While history primarily seeks to establish what happened, when and where, literature attempts to enter the human mind and understand emotions, motivations and inner experiences. In this sense, he said, literature can open pathways to aspects of the past that conventional historical records may leave unexplored.
Shekhawat congratulated Yugul Joshi for undertaking the project and expressed hope that the book would generate wider interest in Kalidasa and encourage readers to approach the celebrated poet from a fresh perspective.
Kalidasa Beyond Time and Borders
IGNCA Chairman Ram Bahadur Rai described Kaho Kalidasa! as a novelistic interpretation of the life of the great poet. He said Kalidasa cannot be confined to a particular period, region or cultural boundary and described him as not merely an Indian poet but a literary figure of global significance.
According to Rai, Kalidasa’s writings continue to resonate because they express universal human experiences, including youthful aspirations, longing, emotional pain and hope. He considered the book relevant to contemporary readers and encouraged people to read it.
Dr. Joram Aniya, while reviewing the book, said its title represents more than an address to Kalidasa; it creates an imagined conversation with a poet whose biography remains shrouded in uncertainty. Although historical records provide little information about his personal life, Aniya observed that Kalidasa’s own writings offer important clues about his intellectual and emotional world.
She said Kaho Kalidasa! uses literary imagination to explore the lesser-known dimensions of his life and provides a contemporary re-reading of the classical poet. She also noted that the book could inspire readers to return to Kalidasa’s original works.
Author’s Perspective
Speaking about his novel, Yugul Joshi recalled the celebrated European writer Goethe’s admiration for Kalidasa, particularly Abhijnanashakuntalam. Joshi noted that Kalidasa has been claimed with affection by different regions of India, including Mithila, Ujjain and Uttarakhand.
Yet, he stressed, Kalidasa ultimately belongs to the cultural heritage of the entire country. Kaho Kalidasa! therefore seeks to present a literary interpretation of the legendary poet while exploring the world of ideas, emotions and experiences reflected in his works.
The programme brought together a large gathering of writers, artists, academics and cultural personalities. Shri Manjeet Thakur conducted the proceedings, while Sushant Jha of Manjul Publishing House delivered the vote of thanks.
By Suman Munshi | IBG NEWS
