Kalidasa & Bhasa

Kalidas and Bhasa are two icons of Sanskrit literature and drama. Even today, they continue to attract stage performers with their unique style of crafting plays. We desire to introduce the literary gems of these two Dramatists to the connoisseurs through our new course on “Kalidasa and Bhasa: Two icons and two iconic plays.” We have curated two of their plays, namely अभिज्ञानशाकुन्तलम् and कर्णभारम् for this course.

Course Instructor: Bhandarkar Oriental Research Institute

₹1400.00

Kalidasa and Bhasa: Two Icons and Two Iconic Plays | BharatVidya
Instructors 2 Scholars
Duration ~8 Hours
Format Live Enactments
Plays 2 Masterpieces
Level All Levels

About This Course

Kalidasa and Bhasa are two luminaries of Sanskrit literature whose plays continue to captivate audiences centuries after they were written. This course offers a rare opportunity to study their masterworks not merely as literary texts, but as living theatrical experiences.

Unlike traditional lecture-based courses, our approach places performance at the center of learning. Dr. Prasad Bhide, a renowned scholar and practitioner in reviving Classical Sanskrit plays, will enact select scenes while offering critical appreciation of the dramatic craft.

Complementing this, Dr. Gauri Moghe brings her expertise as Executive Editor of BORI's Cultural Index of Mahabharata—the definitive scholarly resource based on BORI's Critical Edition. She will illuminate how Kalidasa transformed the original Shakuntala Upakhyana into his celebrated masterwork.

The Plays We Study

By Kalidasa

अभिज्ञानशाकुन्तलम्

Abhijnana Shakuntalam

Often called the pinnacle of Sanskrit drama, this seven-act play weaves the story of King Dushyanta and Shakuntala—a tale of love, separation, and reunion that has inspired artists across millennia.

By Bhasa

कर्णभारम्

Karnabharam

A powerful one-act play exploring the psychological burden of Karna on the eve of battle. Bhasa's masterful compression of the Mahabharata narrative creates an intense dramatic experience.

Begin Your Journey into Classical Sanskrit Drama

Experience these timeless masterpieces as they were meant to be seen—performed, not just read.

₹1,499 one-time
Enrol Now

Lifetime access · Certificate included · Learn at your own pace

Course Curriculum

1 Subject

Kalidasa & Bhasa

8 Learning Materials

The Shakuntala of Vyasa and Kalidasa

The tale of two Shakuntala-s - Vyasa's and Kalidasa's

Video
01:00:56

Abhijnana Shaakunatala by Kalidasa

Mahakavi Kalidasa

Video
00:27:12

Shakuntala lecture 1

Video
00:41:51

Shaakuntala Lecture 2

Video
00:45:13

Shaakuntala Lecture 3

Video
00:53:13

Shaakuntala Lecture 4

Video
00:51:21

Karnabhara by Bhasa

Karnabharam Lecture 1

Video
01:11:02

Karnabharam Lecture 2

Video
00:56:19
Kalidasa & Bhasa: Two Icons and Two Iconic Plays | BharatVidya

Classical Sanskrit Drama

Kalidasa & Bhasa

अभिज्ञानशाकुन्तलम् · कर्णभारम्

Two icons of Sanskrit literature. Two iconic plays. Experience them as living theatrical experiences through enactments and critical analysis.

~8 Hours Live Enactments 2 Scholars Certificate
₹1,400
One-time · Lifetime access
Enroll Now →
Classical Sanskrit Drama featuring scenes from Kalidasa and Bhasa's masterworks
2 Scholars
Instructors
~8 Hours
Duration
Live Enactments
Format
2 Masterpieces
Plays
All Levels
Level

About This Course

Kalidasa and Bhasa are two luminaries of Sanskrit literature whose plays continue to captivate audiences centuries after they were written. This course offers a rare opportunity to study their masterworks not merely as literary texts, but as living theatrical experiences.

Dr. Prasad Bhide will enact select scenes while offering critical appreciation of the dramatic craft. Dr. Gauri Moghe will illuminate how Kalidasa transformed the original Shakuntala Upakhyana into his celebrated masterwork.

By Kalidasa

अभिज्ञानशाकुन्तलम्

Abhijnana Shakuntalam

The pinnacle of Sanskrit drama—a seven-act tale of King Dushyanta and Shakuntala's love, separation, and reunion.

By Bhasa

कर्णभारम्

Karnabharam

A powerful one-act play exploring Karna's psychological burden on the eve of battle.

What Makes This Unique

  • Live enactments by a theatre artist
  • Critical appreciation alongside performance
  • Analysis of staging and gesture
  • Epic-to-drama comparative study

What You Will Learn

  • Dramatic structure of Sanskrit plays
  • Character development and rasa
  • Distinctive styles of both poets
  • Performance elements and stagecraft

Course Content

Curriculum

3 Modules 8 Videos ~8 Hours
01 The Shakuntala of Vyasa and Kalidasa 1h 01m
The tale of two Shakuntala-s 1:00:56
02 Abhijnana Shaakunatala by Kalidasa 3h 39m
Mahakavi Kalidasa 27:12
Shakuntala Lecture 1 41:51
Shakuntala Lecture 2 45:13
Shakuntala Lecture 3 53:13
Shakuntala Lecture 4 51:21
03 Karnabhara by Bhasa 2h 07m
Karnabharam Lecture 1 1:11:02
Karnabharam Lecture 2 56:19

Questions

Frequently Asked

Do I need to know Sanskrit?
No. The course is designed for all levels. Key terms and verses are explained in English.
Is the course self-paced?
Yes. Learn at your own pace with lifetime access.
Do I get a certificate?
Yes. A shareable certificate is awarded upon completion.
What makes this course different?
Live enactments by Dr. Prasad Bhide let you experience the plays as theatrical performances, not just texts.

Begin Your Journey into Classical Sanskrit Drama

Experience these masterpieces as they were meant to be seen—performed, not just read.

₹1,400
Enroll Now →

Lifetime access · Certificate included · Learn at your own pace

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