Nagpur: On the first day of Ashadh, believed to be the very day that inspired Mahakavi Kalidas to pen ‘Meghadutam’, literature enthusiasts, Sanskrit scholars, and culture lovers gathered at multiple locations in and around Nagpur to celebrate Kalidas Din with heritage walks, recitations, lectures, and cultural tributes.The day began with a heritage visit to Ramtek, organised by cultural enthusiast Pravin Yogi, drawing a group of participants who started their journey at 7am from Nagpur. The group explored the Mansar excavation site, viewed the idol of Atharabhuj Ganapati, and visited temples from the Vakataka era, including the ancient Paduka Mandir of Lord Ram, all sites that reflect Ramtek’s historical and literary significance.“The idea was to let people experience Kalidas’s world — its landscapes, temples, and mood — not just read about it,” said Yogi, who shared many unknown facts about Kalidas and ‘Meghadutam’ during the tour. The team was taken to the exact location where Kalidas sat while writing the epic poem. The trip concluded with an insightful walk through the Ramtek fort temple complex, believed to be where Kalidas drew inspiration for his poetic masterpiece.“Every year, when the Ashadha month begins, Ramtek transforms. It’s as if Kalidas’s verses have taken form again in the misty valleys,” said Mrunmayee Kulkarni, a cultural activist who attended the tour. ‘Meghadutam’ is a story of a forlorn yaksha who sends a message to his beloved through a wandering monsoon cloud, finding a perfect backdrop in this region’s rolling hills, quiet temples, and sweeping skies. Back in Nagpur, Sanskrit Bharati hosted a commemorative programme at its Dattaji Didolkar Bhavan office in Pandey Layout. The event was presided over by entrepreneur and city Sanskrit Bharati president Vilas Kale and featured a keynote address by Dr Vibha Kshirsagar, who spoke on Kalidas’s relevance in contemporary times. Sanskrit Bharati Nagpur minister Ketaki Dange coordinated the event and encouraged participation of more youths in classical language studies. Simultaneously, Sanskrit Bhasha Pracharini Sabha, Nagpuram held an online group recitation of ‘Meghadutam’ under the theme ‘Ashadhasya Prathama Divase’, a nod to the iconic opening of Kalidas’s work. The virtual meet, held between 4 and 7pm, saw active participation from Sanskrit lovers across Maharashtra.More than just a tribute, Kalidas Din brought together generations — students, scholars, and working professionals — reminding them of Vidarbha’s cultural connection to one of India’s greatest poets. From the cloud-kissed hills of Ramtek to the lecture halls of Nagpur, the day served as a celebration of literature, history, and heritage in motion.
