JOURNEYS & JOURNEYS  – 14

Kalidasa’s Cave

Chattisgarh State was formed in November 2000 bifurcating M.P. state.Consequently a separate telecom circle was also formed. It was necessary to tour the new telecom Circle for organisational purposes.

Started from Delhi on 17th December 2000 and reached Champa Railway Station next day.(Though written Champa, people there call it Chappa. A big station.). Coms. S.R.Nayak, Circle Secretary, M.P., S.C.Bhattacharya, GS ITEU and many other leaders received me at the station. As usual it was journey in a van, stopping for meetings at important places. First the meeting was at Korba and then proceeded to Ambikapur. Since we were short of time to cover the many stations, instead of lunch, we used to take some fruits and tiffin in the van itself.

We were passing through thick forests one after another. Chhattisgarh is full of thick forests. Beautiful scenery. While moving  through the forests of Raighar, Sarguja, the driver, a young man, asked me whether I want to see the place where the great poet Kalidasa wrote and staged his first drama. I was interested and told him ‘yes’. All were interested, though we will already be late for the next meeting. None of us had seen the place.

Driver knew the place well and took us through a very small side road for about 2-3 km. It was thick forest full of tall trees, as also many huge rocks. We went up on a very big rock climbing man made steps and got to the top. There was a small theatre carved out of rock, where some 20/30 people could sit.  A stage also. There was a room inside the cave, probably for stay. Driver told us that it was here where Kalidasa stayed and wrote his first drama and staged it in front of celebrities. It is stated that after seeing the drama,  King, Vikramaditya,  invited him to Ujjain, where he wrote many dramas and staged under the patronage of the king, as part of ‘Navaratna’ celebrities.

When we visited there ( two decades back), it was isolated and there was not a single  person there. But now it seems that the place has become popular with many tourists. Later, I was told that every year, Kalidasa Jayanti is organised and inauguration will take place in this place. 

We returned to the main road, and  a fast drive. Managed to reach Ambikapur, of course late. Comrades were waiting patiently and the meeting was held. During the next few days meetings at Raigharh, Bilaspur, Raipur and  Bhilai completely covering all the districts. Attended meeting at Jabalpur also. Returned to Delhi by train on 22 after 5days of starting the journey^.. Failed to get reservation, but got RAC in the train as a consolation.

V.A.N.Namboodiri   19.10.2024