See Also: Bhasa(encyclopedia)

Bhasa (sh)




born 3rd century AD

Indian dramatist.

The earliest known dramatist in Sanskrit, he was known only by the allusions of other Sanskrit dramatists until the texts of 13 of his dramas were discovered and published in 1912. Most of his works are adaptations of themes of heroism and romantic love borrowed from two epics, the Ramayana and the Mahabharata. He diverged from the conventions of the time by portraying battles and killings on the stage. His influence is seen in the works of the 5th-century dramatist Kalidasa.