Kalidasa,
one of the chief figures in classic Sanskrit literature was also a dramatist
and poet.
He was one of the Navratnas (9 gems or the most accomplished men of their
times) at the court of Chandragupta Vikramaditya. Kalidasa's works include
plays, Epics and lyrics. His play 'Abhinjnana Sakunthalam' (Recognition of
Sakunthala) is the most well-known of all his works and it has been translated
into various languages of the world. In all, 7 works of Kalidasa are available
today. They are: 'Malavikagnimitra', 'Vikramorvasiyam' and 'Abhijnana Sakunthalam'
(plays); 'Raghu Vansa' and 'Kumara Sambhavam' (Epics); 'Meghdoot' and 'Ritu
Samhara' (lyrics).
As
far as literacy merits are concerned, Meghdoot (cloud messenger) is the most
excellent work.