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Bhavabhuti

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Bhavabhūti was a prominent classical Sanskrit scholar, poet, and playwright. He lived during the eighth century in India. Many literary experts consider him a key successor to the famous poet Kalidasa. Some even believe his literary stature matches that of Kalidasa. Bhavabhūti is widely known as the "Poet of the Karunā Rasa." The term Karunā Rasa refers to the essence of compassion or sorrow. His writing was unique because of how it handled these deep human emotions.

Mālatīmādhava Bhavabhūti (मालतीमाधव भवभूति)– Pigment Painting (Old)
Mālatīmādhava Bhavabhūti (मालतीमाधव भवभूति)– Pigment Painting (Old)

Bhavabhūti's life began in a family of scholars known as the Udumbara Brahmin family. His real name was Śrīkaṇṭha Nīlakaṇṭha. He was the son of Nilakantha and Jatukarni. His ancestors, the Kāshyapa Brahmins, followed the Black Yajurveda and maintained five sacred fires. He received his formal education at Padmapawaya. This educational site was located approximately 42 kilometers southwest of Gwalior. His guru, or teacher, was a man named Dayananidhi Paramahansa. Later, he composed his historical plays in Kalpi, a location on the banks of the Yamuna River.

Mālatīmādhava Bhavabhūti (मालतीमाधव भवभूति)– Pigment Painting (Old)
Mālatīmādhava Bhavabhūti (मालतीमाधव भवभूति)– Pigment Painting (Old)

Historical records provide clues about his professional life. The 12th-century historian Kalhana placed Bhavabhūti in the royal entourage of King Yashovarman of Kannauj. This king was eventually defeated by Lalitaditya Muktapida, the king of Kashmir, in 736 AD. This connection suggests Bhavabhūti lived during a period of significant political shifts in India. His works reflect the sophisticated culture of the royal courts during this era. He used his skill to create dramas that were both complex and emotionally resonant.

Mālatīmādhava Bhavabhūti (मालतीमाधव भवभूति)– Pigment Painting (Old)
Mālatīmādhava Bhavabhūti (मालतीमाधव भवभूति)– Pigment Painting (Old)

Bhavabhūti wrote several major literary works that define his legacy. His play *Malatimadhava* is set in the city of Padmavati. It tells the story of Malati and Madhava, who fall in love after drawing portraits of one another. The play includes a subplot involving their friends, Makaranda and Madayantika. During this subplot, Makaranda rescues Madayantika after she is attacked by a tiger. The Sanskritist Daniel H.H. Ingalls noted that this work combines love and horror with a unique felicity. Another important work is the *Uttararamacarita*, or "The Later Deeds of Rama." This play depicts the coronation of Rama, the abandonment of Sita, and their eventual reunion. He also wrote the *Mahaviracharita*, which describes the early life of Rama.

Mālatīmādhava Bhavabhūti (मालतीमाधव भवभूति)– Pigment Painting (Old)
Mālatīmādhava Bhavabhūti (मालतीमाधव भवभूति)– Pigment Painting (Old)

Scholars have noted a connection between Bhavabhūti's writing and ancient political texts. Specifically, he appears to have been indebted to the *Arthashastra* of Kautilya. The *Arthashastra* is a famous ancient treatise on statecraft and policy. Researcher Dasharatha Sharma suggests that both Kalidasa and Bhavabhūti utilized this text for their compositions. In *Malatimadhava* and *Mahaviracharita*, Bhavabhūti uses specific words and ideas from the *Arthashastra*. There is a striking resemblance between the policies of the character Malayavana, a minister to Ravana, and the methods suggested by Kautilya. This shows how deeply classical literature was connected to the political theories of the time.

Mālatīmādhava Bhavabhūti (मालतीमाधव भवभूति)– Pigment Painting (Old)
Mālatīmādhava Bhavabhūti (मालतीमाधव भवभूति)– Pigment Painting (Old)

Today, the memory of Bhavabhūti is preserved through various cultural efforts in India. He is believed to have been born in Padmapura Village, located in the Amgaon Tahsil of the Gondia district in Maharashtra. Local people work to keep his history alive through many different means. In 1950, Laxmanrao Mankar Guruji established the Bhavbhuti Education Society. Later, in 1996, Yashodabai Rahile founded the Bhavbhuti Mandal. Historian O. C. Patle has published books and audio recordings to celebrate the poet. In Gondia Town, a theater called Bhavbhuti Ranga Mandir stands in his honor. Local television channels like Sahyadri and E TV Marathi have also broadcast documentaries about his life. These efforts ensure that his contributions to Sanskrit literature remain known to new generations.

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