Kavi Putra of Kalidasa - A Critical Review (Part 1)

Summary

Sudarshan Kumar Sharma begins his extensive critical review by examining a reference in Kālidāsa’s play Malavikāgnimitram, where the poet pays homage to his predecessors Bhāsa, Kaviputra and Saumilla. The article investigates who Kaviputra was and what works may be attributed to him. Sharma surveys Sanskrit literary history and utilises commentaries by scholars such as Kṣemendra and Somadeva to piece together biographical details. He reviews evidence suggesting that Kaviputra was an influential dramatist in Pāṭaliputra during the reign of the Nanda dynasty and may have served alongside ministers like Kauṭilya. The author also delves into Jain and Buddhist sources that mention Kaviputra, comparing differing accounts of his lineage and oeuvre. By analysing variations in the compound listing Kālidāsa’s forerunners, Sharma discusses whether Saumilla and Kaviputra refer to the same person and examines regional traditions. He further contextualises the discussion with a survey of political history – including the roles of rulers such as Nanda, Mahendra‑varman and Candragupta – and considers how historical events might have influenced theatrical production. Throughout, Sharma stresses the scarcity of direct evidence and the need to rely on cross‑disciplinary research combining literary criticism, history and epigraphy. The first part of the article thus lays the groundwork for a more detailed examination of Kaviputra’s contributions and reputation.