Bhavabhuti facts for kids

Bhavabhuti was a famous Indian scholar from the 700s. He was known for writing amazing plays and poems in Sanskrit, an ancient Indian language. Many people think his plays are just as good as those by another famous writer, Kalidasa.

Bhavabhuti was born in a place called Padmapura. This area is near the border of what are now the states of Maharashtra and Madhya Pradesh. His family were scholars, meaning they loved to learn and teach.

His real name was Srikantha Nilakantha. His parents were Nilakantha and Jatukarni. He studied at a place called 'Padmapawaya'. His teacher, or guru, was Dayananidhi Paramahansa. He wrote some of his plays in 'Kalpi', a town by the Yamuna River.

People believe he was a poet for King Yashovarman of Kannauj. A historian named Kalhana wrote that Bhavabhuti was with the king when he was defeated. This happened in 736 AD by King Lalitaditya Muktapida of Kashmir.

His Famous Plays

Bhavabhuti wrote several important plays. They are still studied and enjoyed today.

Malatimadhava

This play is set in the city of Padmavati. It tells the story of two young people, Malati and Madhava, who fall in love.

The king wants Malati, who is the daughter of his minister, to marry a young man named Nandana. But Malati has already seen Madhava and drawn his picture. She is in love with him. Madhava feels the same way about her and draws her picture too.

Malati worries about her father's plans for her marriage. The story also includes their friends, Makaranda and Madayantika. Makaranda saves Madayantika from a tiger and gets hurt. After many challenges, everything works out. Both couples, Malati and Madhava, and Makaranda and Madayantika, end up together.

A famous expert, Daniel H.H. Ingalls, said that Malatimadhava is special. He said it mixes love and scary parts in a way that was never matched in Sanskrit writing.

Other Works

• Mahaviracharita (The story of the highly courageous one): This play tells about the early life of Rama, a hero from ancient Indian stories.
• Uttararamacarita (The story of Rama's later life): This play shows Rama becoming king. It also tells about his wife Sita and their reunion.

His Legacy

Bhavabhuti's work is still remembered and honored today.

• In 1950, Laxmanrao Mankar Guruji named his education group "Bhavbhuti Education Society".
• Yashodabai Rahile started a community group called "Bhavbhuti Mandal" in 1996.
• Historian Mr. O.C. Patle wrote a book called "Bhavbhuti ab geeton mein" (Bhavbhuti, now in his songs). He also made audio CDs and cassettes to help people remember the poet.
• Local TV channels like Sayhyadri and E TV Marathi have shown documentaries about his life.
• People and groups have put up statues of Bhavabhuti in the area where he lived.