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Rajendra Tandon and (left) from the jacket of “Kumarasambhavam”

We might find his writings have a racily contemporary feel, but for many English medium educated Indians, Kalidasa and other Sanskrit writers remain elusive, partly because Sanskrit is unpopular among students. However, translators have done their bit to reverse the impression. One of these is Rajendra Tandon, who, in partnership with Rupa publishers, is bringing out English translations of Kalidasa’s works. If “Ritusamharam” came out this month, “Kumarasambhavam” hit the stands three months ago. “Raghuvamsham” is expected by April-end, and Tandon hopes 2008 will see him complete his translations of the entire works of Kalidasa. This is apart from his translations of Bhartrihari’s “Niti Shatakam”, “Shringar Shatakam” and “Vairagya Shatakam” which are older projects. Quite a schedule for a retired government servant. “Well, I’m a very hardworking person,” he laughs.

“These books don’t sell like novels,” he concedes, but they are sold abroad too, and he praises his publishers’ efforts. Mentioning the cover of “Kumarasambhavam” that features the legs of a dancing couple, he remarks that this time the designers have gone a step ahead in packaging. For his part, he says he tries to provide a flowing translation where the English verses carry a beauty of their own while offering a glimpse of the music of Kalidasa. Sanskrit literature should be brought to the notice of today’s readers, if only because “all ancient knowledge has been lying in Sanskrit,” he notes.

Tandon feels successive governments have considered Sanskrit literature “anathema”, linking it with a narrow sectarian view of Hinduism. “The scriptures need not be taught as religious but as secular literature,” he says, pointing out how these works make obvious the continuity of India’s civilisation. “This continuity is keeping us going,” he says, despite divisive politics.

Bowled over by Kalidasa’s continuing relevance and intimate knowledge of matters ranging from war strategy to India’s geography, Tandon says, “I wonder at the knowledge of the man.” Multi-talented himself, Tandon has authored “How to Stay Healthy with Homeopathy” and co-authored “Homeopathic Guide to Family Health”. He has studied maths, physics and law besides Sanskrit and Urdu and an M.A. in English. “Knowledge has no limitations,” he says amiably. “No boundaries.”

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