Author: O N V Kurup
Translator: A J Thomas
Publisher: Rupa
Year: 2002
Language: English
Pages: 152
ISBN/UPC (if available): 8171676863
Description
This classic fiction in verse is a presentation of Kalidasa. It is a poem that recreates Kalidasa's personality and is naturally reverberant with his memorable utterances.
The title of the poem establishes, however, that the focus is not quite on Kalidasa but on Ujjayini defined as the seat and symbol of power.
O N V Kurup regards Kalidasa of history and legend--city-bred, a loyal court poet, a philanderer--as totally apocryphal. In 'Ujjayini', Malvika, the daughter of an elderly ballad singer in Kalidasa's village, wins his heart. But one day, a palanguin comes from Ujjayini to take her away to the capital to adorn the King's harem. The poem recreates Kalidasa's unrequited love for Malavika.
The Malayalam original of 'Ujjayini has already gone into seven impressions during the span of last seven years. Translations of the book are available in Tamil, Hindi and Sanskrit.
Contents
Foreword
Introduction
ONE
Into the Prison of Solitude
TWO
The First Shoots
THREE
The Cage Doesn't Realise the Bird's Grief
FOUR
The Vistas of the Poet-Pilgrim
FIVE
In the Bosom of Devatatma
SIX
Back to Malwa
SEVEN
To Ujjayini
EIGHT
Flag-Hoisting of the Drama Festival
NINE
Dark Hours
TEN
The Test of the Jewels
ELEVEN
'Farewell, Ujjayini!'
TWELVE
'Kaschit Kanta Viraha Gurana..'
THIRTEEN
To Ujjayini, Once Again
FOURTEEN
The Story of the Palanquin