Madhav & Kama: A Love Story from Ancient India

This is the story of Madhavanala and Kamakandala. Madhav, a handsome and accomplished young man, is asked to leave his city of Pushpavati: his looks and singing so distract women that they neglect their work, and cityfolk create an uproar about it. Exiled, Madhav reaches the court of King Kama Sena, the ruler of Kamavati, where he meets the bewitching courtesan Kama. The two fall in love but royal ire ensures that the lovers part. A heartbroken Madhav takes shelter in a temple at Ujjain, the city of King Vikramaditya. What can the great ruler do to assuage Madhav's pain? Can he reunite the lovers? This lively and colourful tale has startling metaphors, a candid narration of love and an ending that matches its evocative language. In circulation since the twelfth century AD, Madhav and Kama has been translated from the original Sanskrit text for readers in English for the first time.