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Style of Kalidasa
Style of Kalidasa reveals that he is the one of the finest master of Indian poetic style.

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Style of Kalidasa is perfect and polished and free from the extravagances that disfigure the later writers of Kavya. His style is superior to that of the style of Asvaghosha. Dandin considers his style as Vidarbha. The features of his style are firmness and evenness of sound, avoiding words transitions and preferring gentle harmonies, clearness of meaning; the power to convey sentiment; beauty, elevation, and the employment of metaphorical expressions.

The longevity to a poem is assured as well as rules to Mahakavya are also followed. He prefers suggestion to elaboration. He was able to produce a definite effect in his compositions. It is normal in his poems to have each verse complete in itself. It is also seen that a single verb supports a number of adjectives and appositions. However relative clauses with verb are also used. Short compounds are used. The word order is very free. Figures that make sound are employed skilfully. Ordinary forms of alliteration are used.

As far as figures of sense are concerned Kalidasa excels in simile. Kalidasa is rich in plays of fancy that present a vivid picture. He loves the figure corroboration. He undoubtedly possesses a great metrical skill.

In the Ritusamhara the Indra Vajra and Vancastha metres are used along with Vasant Tilaka and Malini. The Meghaduta also shows the elaborate Mandakranta used without variation. In the Kumarasambhava the canto is written in a single metre with change. Kalidasa observes the rule of €loka carefully. In total nineteen metres are used in his epics.

Kalidasa`s poetry is known for its beautiful imagery and similes. The following are some example of his works. The following verse is from Meghaduta:

utsange vd tnalinavasane saumya niksipya vlndni
madgotrahkam viracitapadam geyam udgatukama
tantrlm drdrdni nayanasalilaih sdrayitvd kathaincit
bkuyo bhuyah svayam api krtam murcchandih vismarantl.

Some of the verses form Ritusamhara:

vivasvatd tiksnatardhgiimalind: sapahkatoydt saraso `bhitd-
pitah utplulya bhekas trsitasya bhoginah: phandtapatrasya talc nisldati.

Some of the verses from Raghuvamsa:

na prthagjanavac chuco vasa? vasinam uttama gantum arhasi
drumasanumatam kim antara? yadi vayau dvitaye `pi te cala?


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