With reference to the history of ancient India, Bhavabhuti, Hastimalla and Kshemeshvara were famous? Jain monks? Playwrights? [2019]

With reference to the history of ancient India, Bhavabhuti, Hastimalla and Kshemeshvara were famous

Bhavabhuti was an eminent playwright and poet of the 8^th century CE, regarded as one of the greatest figures in Sanskrit drama. His celebrated works—Malatimadhava, Mahaviracharita, and Uttararamacharita—are often considered comparable to Kalidasa’s. Known as the “Poet of Karuna Rasa,” he is believed to have served as the court poet of King Yashovarman. In the later period of regional states (c. 800–1200 CE), playwrights such as Kshemeshvara and Hastimalla gained prominence. While earlier plays, such as those of Bhavabhuti, focused on subtle dramatic elements and emotional depth, the works of Kshemeshvara, Hastimalla, and their contemporaries like Murari and Rajashekhara emphasized sophisticated poetic and linguistic techniques. This shift highlighted a literary culture that valued reading and textual appreciation over theatrical presentation (Romila Thapar, A History Of India).