Page 289 - New Medley 5 Semester 2

and performing eye operations to remove cataract. Charaka knew about

the medicinal value of hundreds of plants and how they could be used
to treat different diseases.

Charaka lived about 2000 years ago. In his book, Charaka Samhita, he
described the diagnosis and treatment of many diseases. He described

in detail the various stages through which food passes before being fully
digested. He stressed on the importance of hygiene in the treatment of

diseases. He also listed the responsibilities of the doctor and how a doctor
should deal with his/her patients.

Kalidasa

Kalidasa is considered the greatest Sanskrit poet and
dramatist of India. He is called the ‘Shakespeare of India’.

He lived during the reign of King Chandragupta II of
the Gupta Dynasty.

Kalidasa’s famous works include Abhijnanashakuntalam,
Raghuvamsha, Kumarasambhava, Meghduta and

Ritusamhara. Of these, the most famous is the play
Abhijnanashakuntalam. The play has been translated Kalidasa

into many Indian and foreign languages.

Tansen
Akbar, the most famous Mughal emperor, had

nine great people in his court. They were called
the navratnas or the nine gems. Tansen was one

of them. He was the greatest singer-musician of
that time.

Tansen was born in Behat, near Gwalior. He
combined the Indian and Persian styles of music

and developed a style of his own. He composed
many ragas (musical tunes) such as Miyan ki Todi

and Miyan ki Malhar. It is said that he could bring Tansen
rain by singing Raga Malhar and light fires by singing Raga Deepak.

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