‘અભિનશાનશકુંતલ’ ની અપૂર્વ નવીનતા

Summary

Written in Gujarati, this article analyses the celebrated Sanskrit drama Abhijñānaśākuntalam and identifies elements that make it uniquely innovative. The author reviews the play’s plot—King Duṣyanta’s encounter with Śakuntalā, their separation caused by a lost ring and their eventual reunion—and argues that Kālidāsa reshaped older legends with extraordinary poetic flair. Unlike earlier dramas, the play depicts the heroine’s inner conflict, uses natural imagery to heighten emotion and weaves in lyrical descriptions of seasons and landscapes. Attention is given to the subtle interplay of fate and character as well as the symbolic significance of tokens such as the ring. The article also highlights the influence of Abhijñānaśākuntalam on subsequent Gujarati literary adaptations and stage performances. Through close reading of selected verses, the author shows how Kālidāsa’s language combines simplicity with sophistication and how his portrayal of love elevates the drama beyond mere romance. The study concludes that the enduring appeal of Abhijñānaśākuntalam lies in its artistic innovations and its profound exploration of human emotions.