About the book: 1996 / The name of Kalidasa, the famous playwright and poet of Ancient India, marks the period of the highest flowering of Indian classical culture. His poetry and dramatic works have been translated into European languages ​​since the 18th century, but we still know virtually nothing about the identity of the creator of these world-famous creations: we know neither the year, nor the place of his birth, nor his social position, nor any or other specific facts of his biography. This publication offers the Russian reader an extensive outline of the life and work of Kalidasa, as well as the first Russian translation of his poem “The Family of Raghu.” It is especially valued as an unsurpassed example of the Mahakavya genre - a large epic poem glorifying the deeds of the gods or the exploits of ancient heroes. "The Family of Raghu" is a legendary chronicle of the kings of the Solar dynasty, which traced its origin to Vivasvat, the sun god; The famous Rama also belonged to this mythical family. Raghu is one of the most famous ancestors of Rama, his name gave the name to the entire family. The poem consists of 19 songs and sets out a number of episodes, sequentially depicting the deeds of the most prominent representatives of the glorious family. The book is richly illustrated and intended for a wide range of readers interested in the history and culture of Ancient India.