SHAKUNTALA, THE CREATION OF KALIDAS, IS NOT MERELY A WOMAN; SHE IS A DAUGHTER OF NATURE

SHAKUNTALA, THE CREATION OF KALIDAS, IS NOT MERELY A WOMAN; SHE IS A DAUGHTER OF NATURE

28-AUG-ENG 3

RAJIV NAYAN AGRAWAL

ARA--------------------------A literary seminar and poetry recitation session based on the Bhojpuri narrative poem *Shakuntala*—authored by the renowned litterateur and keynote speaker Dr. Ishwar Chandra Tripathi—was organized at the headquarters of the Antarrashtriya Bhojpuri Sangam (India) in Kolghat, Azamgarh. The event focused on themes such as Shakuntala’s love for nature, the *Kajari* folk songs of the *Sawan* (monsoon) season, and the significance of women. The session was presided over by the revered veteran Bhojpuri poet and lyricist Shri Baledin Yadav. The chief guest was the distinguished litterateur and *Ghazal* writer Shri Dinesh Srivastava, while the keynote address was delivered by Dr. Ishwar Chandra Tripathi. The proceedings were conducted by Arvind Chitransh, the chief coordinator of the Bhojpuri Academy and Folk Art Research Institute.

Renowned litterateur Dr. Ishwar Chandra Tripathi is the creator who brought the character of Shakuntala—from the immortal masterpiece *Abhijnanashakuntalam* by the great Sanskrit poet Kalidasa—into the cultural ethos of the Bhojpuri heartland. His Bhojpuri narrative poem *Shakuntala* demonstrates that women are the true guardians of nature.

Distinguished attendees included the session's chairperson, veteran Bhojpuri poet and litterateur Shri Baledin Yadav; chief guest Shri Dinesh Srivastava (renowned litterateur, *Ghazal* writer, and author of the epic *Niyati Chakra* and narrative poem *Sundaram*); social worker and Seva Bharati’s women’s wing in-charge Smt. Binni Srivastava; Shri Madhukar Srivastava; young poetesses Shreya Dubey and Suman Dubey; Kanchan Lata Bharti (musician and researcher of Awadhi music, Prayagraj); renowned poet-lyricist Rakesh Pandey 'Sagar' (who captivated the audience with his songs); Dr. Avinash Asthana; Dr. Subhash Singh; the famous poet Shailendra Mohan Rai 'Atpat' (known for his unique *Atpat Vani* style); former Vikas Bhawan official Atul Srivastava; Smt. Sarika Srivastava; Janvi; Anamika Yadav; Shreshth Singh; Bittu Yadav; Mahi; Anshika Chitransh; revered mother Kailashpati Devi; and Pranjal Pandey, among others.

In his concluding remarks, the moderator and International Coordinator of the Antarrashtriya Bhojpuri Sangam (India), Arvind Chitransh, stated that the Shakuntala of the great poet Kalidasa has... It taught us that woman and nature are inseparable. By bringing the figure of Shakuntala into the realm of Bhojpuri, Dr. Ishwar Chandra Tripathi reminded us that every woman who sings the *Kajri*—embodying the power of motherhood—is a descendant of that very Shakuntala. When she sings *Kajri* during the monsoon month of *Sawan*, she is not merely singing a song; she is invoking memories of her land, her trees, and her ancestors. This is the power of womanhood; this is the remembrance of one's lineage.