Question

Which one of the following is not a play?
A. Abhijnana Shakuntalam
B. Mrichchakatikam
C. Malavikagnimitra
D. Meghadoota

Answer 1

Hint: The option here that inspired other poets to write a new theme of poems called Sandesh Kavya or messenger poems is the solution. Most of these works can be attributed to one playwright.

Complete answer: Let us go through the options-
Option A- This is a Sanskrit play, published in 1885 by the revered Kalidasa (4th-5th century; undetermined). He wrote under the aegis of the Gupta empire. The protagonist is Shakuntala, who is the daughter of the sage Vishwamitra and the apsara Menaka. Hence, this is not the correct answer.
Option B- This is another Sanskrit play written by Sudraka, who is supposed to be a Kshatriya king and Shiva devotee who lived for a century. This ten-act drama is set in the 5th century. This is, therefore, not the right option.
Option C-This is significant as this is Kalidasa’s first work. It is a romantic play between the Shunga emperor and the maiden of his chief queen, Dharini. The protagonist’s name is in the name of the work, an exiled girl named Malavika. It has heavy use of music and dialogue both. This option is wrong as well.
Option D- This is also a work by Kalidasa but is a poem. It is a lengthy work, with 120 stanzas and is one of his most famous ones as well. This is the correct answer.
Therefore, option d is correct.

Note: The etymology of the name tells us this translates to ‘Cloud Messenger’. Its protagonist is a Yaksha (a nature spirit) taking a message to his beloved wife, while he has been banished to a remote region.