SHAKUNTALA JANM OR THE BIRTH OF SHAKUNTALA: Shakuntala was born to Vishwamitra and Menaka who was deputed by Indra to distract Vishwamitra from his intense penance. When Menaka presented Shakuntala to Vishwamitra, he refused to acknowledge the child. Menaka thereafter left the child on the banks of the Malini river and returned to Deva-loka. Birds gathered around the orphaned child when sage Kanva came that way. As sakuntas (birds) were petting the child, Kanva raised the child and caller her Shakuntala.
This print from the Ravi Varma Press derived from a painting by Raja Ravi Varma portrays the drama of Vishwamitra refusing to acknowledge the child despite Menaka submissively offering the child to Vishwamitra.
This was the first print issued by the Ravi Varma Fine Art Lithographic Press in the year 1894.
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