Garhwal Post Bureau
DEHRADUN,18 Apr: A significant programme centered on the great poet Kalidasa was organized on Saturday evening by the Doon Library and Research Centre. Held in the Centre’s auditorium, the event featured insightful talks on Kalidasa’s life and works, along with rich cultural presentations.
Organized as part of the Silver Jubilee celebrations of Uttarakhand Statehood, the programme brought together several speakers who shared their perspectives on Kalidasa’s literary contributions and life. Students from various schools, colleges, and universities presented melodious group recitations of Sanskrit shlokas. Additionally, students from DAV PG College showcased an art exhibition based on depictions of Kalidasa.
In the second phase of the programme, held at the Doon Library amphitheatre (Rang Mandap), renowned danseuse Sharmila Ganguly Bharati and her team presented captivating cultural performances inspired by Kalidasa’s works, including Meghaduta, Himalaya Prashasti, Kumarasambhava, and themes related to Goddess Kali. The performances were widely appreciated by the audience.
The programme was chaired by Dr. Sudha Rani Pandey, former Vice-Chancellor of Uttarakhand Sanskrit University, while Deepak Gairola, Secretary, Sanskrit Education, Government of Uttarakhand, attended as the Chief Guest. The keynote speaker was Dr. Ram Vinay Singh, Professor of Sanskrit at DAV PG College.
Dr. Ram Vinay Singh noted that Kalidasa is regarded worldwide as a supreme poet of Shringara (romantic expression). Despite the lack of precise historical details about his birth and life, and differing scholarly views, Kalidasa remains one of India’s greatest poets and is often counted among the Navaratnas. He also referred to local traditions linking Kalidasa to Kavilttha village in Rudraprayag district of Uttarakhand. He elaborated on various aspects of Kalidasa’s major works, including Ritusamhara, Meghaduta, Kumarasambhava, and Abhijnanasakuntalam, and narrated the well-known anecdote associated with King Bhoja.
Chief Guest Deepak Gairola remarked that the programme was a meaningful effort to highlight the vast literary legacy of Kalidasa. He also spoke about the history of Sanskrit literature and outlined government initiatives in this field.
Chairperson Dr. Sudha Rani Pandey observed that a strong tradition of Sanskrit scholarship is developing in a modern city like Dehradun, and appreciated the Doon Library’s innovative efforts in this direction.
At the beginning of the programme, Chandrashekhar Tewari, Programme Officer of the Doon Library, welcomed the gathering. The event was compered by Dr. Bharti Mishra. The Honorary Director of the Doon Library and Research Centre, N. Ravi Shankar, presented mementoes to the guests and artists.
The event was attended by several distinguished personalities, including the Chief Information Commissioner of Uttarakhand, Radha Raturi (former Chief Secretary), Anil Raturi; Nrip Singh Napalchyal; Rajiv Bharati; Ajay Joshi; Somwari Lal Uniyal; Dr. Sushil Upadhyay; Sohan Singh Rajwar; Kalyan Butola; Shailendra Nautiyal; Kamla Pant; Bharti Anand; Dinesh Bhatt; Sundar Singh Bisht; Narendra Singh; Dolly Dabral; Neeta Kukreti; Jai Bhagwan Goyal; Jadish Singh Mahar; Anil Kumar, along with many other scholars, writers, cultural figures, and members of the public from Dehradun.
