By Paras Ramoutar
PORT-OF-SPAIN, TRINIDAD, April 18, 2005: An episode from the famous epic, Mahabharata, will premier in the form of the “Shakuntala” play on April 26 at Queen’s Hall, Port-of-Spain. The play is being presented by Mahatma Gandhi Institute for Cultural Co-operation, Nrityanjali Theatre and the Ministry of Culture, according to a spokesman for the Indian High Commission. The play by the ancient poet Kalidasa tells the story of King Dushyanat and the hermit-girl Shakuntala. This work has been translated in many languages and adapted to the operatic stage by Paderewski, Weingartner and Alfano. Kalidasa is considered as one of India’s greatest poet and dramatist. He was acknowledged as one of the, “Nine Gems” of the court of King Changdragupta Vikramaditya (380-413 AD). This period is considered as the golden ones in Indian history.