Kalidasa

Kālidāsa (Sanskrit: कालिदास, "Servant of Kali"; 4th–5th century CE) was a Classical Sanskrit author who is often considered ancient India's greatest poet and playwright. His plays and poetry are primarily based on Hindu Puranas and philosophy. His surviving works consist of three plays, two epic poems and two shorter poems.

Much about his life is unknown except what can be inferred from his poetry and plays. His works cannot be dated with precision, but they were most likely authored before the 5th century CE during the Gupta era.

Based on geographical descriptions found in Kalidasa's works, various theories have been put forward placing his birthplace in Bengal, Kashmir, Vidarbha, and Malava (Dashapura, Vidisha, or Ujjayini).