Bhavabhuti

Bhavabhuti (c. 7th century CE) was an Indian Sanskrit playwright and poet, regarded as one of the finest dramatists of classical Sanskrit literature. Biographical details about Bhavabhuti are scarce and shrouded in legend; traditional accounts place him in northern India in the late Gupta or early post-Gupta period, with little known about his life beyond his authorship of a few plays.

Three plays are usually attributed to him: Malatimadhava, Uttara-Rama-Charita, and Nagananda. Malatimadhava is a romantic drama that centers on the love affair of Malati and Madhava, and is noted for its elaborate lyricism and refined style. Uttara-Rama-Charita recounts events from Rama's life after his exile, including his rule and the fate of Sita, and exemplifies Bhavabhuti's mature dramatic technique and emotional depth. Nagananda retells the life of the Buddha and is distinguished by its moral and didactic tone, as well as its stylistic polish.

His work is characterized by elevated diction, psychological insight, and the use of the shringara (love) rasa tempered with pathos and moral reflection. Bhavabhuti is often mentioned alongside Kalidasa as a major figure in the classical Sanskrit drama, and his plays are seen as bridging earlier and later Sanskrit dramaturgy.

Little reliable biographical information is available, and much of what is known about Bhavabhuti comes from later literary tradition and manuscript records. His plays remain central to studies of ancient Indian theatre and Sanskrit poetry.