The most famous drama by Kalidasa. The primary theme is adopted from purana which illustrate a love affair between King Dushyanta and a Sakuntala, foster-child of the hermit Kanwa. Dhushyanta and sakuntala fell on love in the forest hermitage and have an instant marriage as Gandharva Marrige. Sakuntala did not followed King Dushyanta since the head of Hermitage was not available during the incidence. But King left his royal signet as a token of their marriage. Supposedly due to a curse by the sage Durvasas, the King suffers from a loss of memory and forgets all about Sakuntala.

The days passed, meanwhile, Sakuntala became pregnant with the child of King Dushyant. The head of institution sent Sakuntala with few inmates of the hermitage to the King at his royal court. Unfortunately for Sakuntala, the royal signet – that is proof of their engagement – is lost while she is bathing in a pond. The King, who has not yet recovered his memory, fails to recognize her. Meanwhile, the ring is discovered by a poor fisherman. As soon as he sets his eyes upon the ring, memory returns to the King in a flash. He recognized his fault, and is unable to reconcile himself to the self-inflicted loss of his beloved.