Silchar | Assam University’s Department of Sanskrit organised a national seminar on the contemporary relevance of Mahakavi Kalidasa’s literary works, bringing together scholars, academicians and research scholars from across India and Nepal to examine the timeless appeal of the classical Sanskrit poet.

The one-day seminar, held on July 29 to mark Guru Purnima, was themed “The Contemporary Relevance of the Literary Works of Mahakavi Kalidasa” and served as a platform for discussions on the poet’s contributions to literature, philosophy and Indian cultural traditions.

 The inaugural session, held at Swapna Devi Smriti Bhavan in the Department of Sanskrit, was attended by Vice-Chancellor (in-charge) Prof. Ashok Kumar Sen, former Head of the Department Prof. Snigdha Das Ray, IQAC Director Prof. Piyush Pandey, Head of the Department Prof. Shanti Pokharel and Prof. Govind Sharma.

 Welcoming the participants, Prof. Pokharel underlined the importance of preserving India’s literary and cultural heritage through academic research and dialogue. The programme began with a Saraswati Vandana performed by postgraduate student Joyita Bhattacharjee.

 Delivering the keynote address, Prof. Snigdha Das Ray spoke on the literary genius of Mahakavi Kalidasa, highlighting celebrated works such as Ritusamhara and Abhijnanasakuntalam. She noted that Kalidasa’s poetic vision, philosophical insights and portrayal of nature and human emotions continue to resonate with readers and scholars across generations.

Prof. Piyush Pandey described Kalidasa’s writings as universally relevant, observing that the Sanskrit poet is often compared to William Shakespeare for his command of language and profound understanding of human nature. Research scholar Vijaya Lakshmi Sharma highlighted the significance of Guru Purnima and the Guru-Shishya tradition, while students honoured their teachers with tilak and mementoes as part of the celebrations.

 In his presidential address, Prof. Ashok Kumar Sen described Sanskrit as the foundation of India’s rich intellectual and cultural heritage, saying Kalidasa’s works continue to offer valuable lessons in literature, ethics, philosophy and culture. The department also released the 20th volume of its annual research journal, Vagishwari, during the inaugural session.

 The seminar featured five technical sessions—two conducted offline and three online—where a total of 63 research papers were presented. Nineteen papers were presented in person, while 44 were delivered virtually, reflecting wide academic participation.

The valedictory session was attended by Assam University Vice-Chancellor Prof. Rajive Mohan Pant as the chief guest. He reaffirmed the enduring relevance of Sanskrit literature and described Kalidasa’s works as a timeless source of knowledge and inspiration. Certificates were distributed to all paper presenters before the programme concluded with the recitation of the Shanti Mantra.

 The seminar drew 103 registered delegates from 76 universities and colleges across 14 Indian states, along with scholars from Nepal, giving the event an international dimension. Organisers said the programme reinforced the university’s commitment to promoting Sanskrit scholarship and preserving India’s classical literary heritage through research and academic collaboration.