Bhasa Biography 
Bhasa is one of the earliest and most celebrated Indian playwrights in Sanskrit. But similar to other playwrights who lived in this period, a little is known about his life history. Bhasa is dated between the 2nd century BCE and 2nd century CE and lived before Kalidasa. He was known only from mention in other works. Kavyamimamsa written during 880-920 AD by Rajashekhara is one such works in which there is a brief commentary on Bhasa. Kalidasa has also mentioned his name in his first playwright, Malavikagnimitram. In 1912, scholar T. Ganapati Sastri recovered 13 of his Sanskrit plays from a Brahmin’s home. Those works were used for performing Koodiyattam, one of the earliest art forms of Kerala.
Though all his works have not been recovered, a few have been given his name. List of such works include plays based on both the epics. His plays based on Ramayana are Pratima-nataka: The statues and Abhisheka-natka: The coronation. A few more works on Mahabharata have been recovered - Panch-ratra, Madhyama-vyayoga, Duta-Ghattotkacha, Duta-Vakya, Urubhanga, Karna-bhara and Harivamsa or Bala-charita. Harivamsa is the only earliest Sanskrit play which revolves around Lord Krishna. He has also authored a few more plays which are not epic-based. Avimaraka is a fairy tale and Daridra-Charudatta, an unfinished love story are among those which have been later made as feature films. Daridra-Charudatta later inspired Shudraka to write Mrichakatika which shares similar storyline. It was made to a Hindi feature film, titled Utsav with Rekha playing the key role.
Pratijna-Yaugandharayana and Swapna-vasavadatta are based on King Udayana. His plays were discovered only in the 20th century, though they have been used for performing arts earlier. The first person to revive Bhasa in modern Indian theatre was Shanta Gandhi.
Published: N/A
Updated: March 13, 2014
