Wednesday, July 2, 2014

An enigma called Kamala


(Images courtesy: Google)

This afternoon, I started reading 'A Childhood in Malabar- A Memoir' by Kamala Das and it struck me that today's post should be on her. Reading her words in my room in a scorching summer, her words transported me back home. I could feel the rain on my face. I could her the tinkle of her bangles when she was a child. In her words, I could see the mysterious Korathi with her sick parrot who came to read her hand. I could see the aged Nalapat house, its vadakkini and thekkini.

I have been in awe of all her works which I have discovered only during the past year or so and have been devouring her books ever since. There are certain books which makes sense to you during a particular period of time. Had I read her books earlier, perhaps, I would not have fallen as much in love with them as I do now. She came into my life at the right time and I have been in love with her words ever since.

What a woman! She wrote from her heart, not caring what anyone would think of it. And perhaps, that is why you can relate to her writings with so much honesty. Kamala Das has quickly turned into one of my favorite authors. Hailing from Kerala, most of her stories and poems are set in the backdrop which I was born and brought up in. She easily strikes a chord in the heart of her readers.

Kamala Das was a woman who lived life on her own terms, be it the literary one or her controversial, personal one. Hailing from a small village in Kerala, she was popularly known as Madhavikutty, for her works in Malayalam. She attracted the scorn and hatred of many for her bold and sensuous writing about love and lust. The way she openly wrote about desire and the needs of a woman sent sparks flying.


Married off at a tender young age of fifteen, she found her passion for writing early in life. Her father was an editor of a popular Malayalam daily called Mathrubhumi and her mother was a famous Malayali poetess. Her childhood was spent largely in Calcutta and Kerala, the influence of both which are to be seen in her writings. 

Ever since I discovered her books, I have been trying to get my hands on as many as possible. My Story is an autobiographical work which raised many eyebrows for its controversial content. But my personal favorite of the ones I have read so far is Wages of Love is a compilation of many of her articles, short stories, poems and plays. Neypayasam is a gem of a short story which talks about the plight of a father who comes home to his three young sons after his wife's death. This story will make sure you shed a tear or two. It is a story which moved me so much that it still remains close to my heart.


Having born to the Nalapat family and of a Nair origin, her conversion to Islam at the age of sixty five and adopting the name Kamala Surayya again put her into scrutiny in the eyes of public. Her death in 2009 at the age of seventy five was a huge loss to the literary world.

Kamala Das was an enigma, a mystery perhaps even to herself. Her words would stay with you beyond the pages. A writer whom I always go back to, for inspiration. And today, as I write this, I wonder if there would ever be another writer like her. One who would write with an honesty and passion as only she could. Somewhere deep inside, I know that the space she left behind can never be replaced. And I wish...

This post is written for Day 2 of the Ultimate Blog Challenge for July 2014 and NaBloPoMo

20 comments:

  1. Interesting! Women with strong voices often are met with resistance.
    I still have to read her books. I'll try and get my hands on one soon :)

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    1. Thanks for reading, Vinodini! She had to face a lot of resistance, but never gave up on her writing. Such an remarkable woman! Try reading some of her books. You will be hooked!

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  2. You just introduced me to a writer that I have not read about or known. Neither have I read any of her literary works.
    But, thank you very much, better late than never right? You've raised my curiosity and I will definitely try and get hold of her works.
    Hoping to love it as much as you do :)

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    1. Thank you! Glad that I could introduce you to such a great writer and woman :) And it's never too late! If anything, this could probably be the right time (like me).

      Do let me know your thoughts once you read her. I hope she leaves a trace in your heart, as she did in mine :)

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  3. I too am yet to read her books, but I do wonder if I would like it. Should read and see, that's the only way to know I guess :) Nicely written, and yes, you did manage to make me curious.

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    1. Thank you Leo! Give it a try, start with some of her short stories and poems, which I think you will like. Glad that I could make you curious about her ;)

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  4. I have never read her work, but she sounds and look like a beautiful lady. She is really very pretty.
    Thank you for dropping by on my blog, but why do I feel that I have been on your blog before? Have I?
    Anyway, following you. You have a lovely blog.

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    1. Kamala Das indeed a very beautiful lady. I chose some of my favorite pictures of her in this post. I think this is the first time you are commenting on my blog. Thanks so much for your kind words, Dhara. I love your blog too :)

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  5. I have read a few books of her books. She was an extremely bold woman who died craving for true love all her life. However, this autobiography of hers is full of fictional things and the most shocking part was that she herself admitted it.

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    1. Oh yes, I have read about that as well. That there were fictional elements in her autobiography. But like I said, my favorite ones are the short stories and poems that she has penned. What you have said is so true, she has been in search of love all her life.

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  6. I never even knew about her. How!!! Especially someone from my own land and NAIR! Damn...
    Inspirational indeed.

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    1. Really? You should read her then! She has written a lot of wonderful works in Malayalam, which I have not yet gotten to reading. Blame it on my poor reading skills on the language. But I hope to some day! Thanks Red :)

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    1. In case you decide to try out her works, let me know your thoughts. I would love to hear them :)

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  8. Yes! What a Woman! I admire her so much and also her spirits and writing. :)

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    1. Finally someone who has read her and share my thoughts! Isn't she great? :)

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  9. I know her but have read only 'My Story' .... I am really surprised that many malayalees don't know her as she was so much in news until she died..
    "There are certain books which makes sense to you during a particular period of time" - totally Agree.. I read 'My Story' when I was 17-18, there were some aspects I liked and some I did not like about the book, but I am sure if I read it now my opinion on the book would be completely different...

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    1. Even I wasn't aware of her works until recently. Just seen her in the news surrounding all the controversy. But now, she has quickly turned into one of my favorite authors.

      And yes, there are certain books which we would enjoy much better once we are older...

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  10. I have not heard about her at all .. so thank you for introducing her .. .. will surly look into

    Bikram

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