Final answer:
Kalidasa is often hailed as the greatest playwright of early theatre in India, known for his work during the Gupta period, paralleling Western figures like Shakespeare.
Step-by-step explanation:
The most acclaimed playwright from early Indian theatre is often considered to be Kalidasa. His works were created during the Gupta period, a time when literature flourished with drama, poetry, and scientific writings. Kalidasa's plays were known for their humor and intertwining elements of heroism, distinguishing him as a seminal figure in the history of Indian drama and literature. It is essential to note that during this time, important texts such as the Kamasutra also emerged, broadly highlighting the era's advancements in knowledge and the arts.
While discussing the international significance of theatre, it is worth mentioning the International Centre of Theatre Research's adaptation of the Indian epic Mahabharata, founded by a group in Paris in 1971. This highlights the long-standing global influence of Indian cultural narratives in theatre. Indian drama, known as Prakarana, is believed to have sparked the spread of the dramatic arts in the East akin to the impact of Greek drama in the West.
The reverence for Kalidasa as an iconic playwright is paralleled in Western history by figures such as Aeschylus, Sophocles, and the illustrious William Shakespeare, who were also monumental in their respective times and cultures for the evolution and popularity of the theatrical arts.