KAMALA SURAIYYA
_ an epitome of love and truth.
– a unique female iconoclast.
– a popular literary genius.
- an original voice.
Life is beautiful…
Life is knowing oneself…
Life is so fast…
Life is a mystery…
Life is a drama…
Life is a journey…
Life is a struggle…
Life is a comedy…
The definition of this short term varies with ones perception. Few who are basically sensitive, have an exploring mind, can empathise and delve deep, are articulate with a gift of gab, etc move a step ahead and assume subtle leadership as writers in various forms. Some of them, attract, gather and sustain a “following” without their own knowledge. Kamala Suraiyya, world renowned popular bilingual writer and poetess from Kerala was one among them. An iconoclast, who tread beyond traditions and man made boundaries, she was a distinctive lady who boldly and openly placed pages from her very own life for public appraisal and criticism. For her, Life was more of a story, to be read with vivid interest and unparallel enthusiasm.
Life is a story…
Life is truth…
Life is an ocean of love…
Life is a flow of emotions…
Life is intimacy…
Life is bliss…
Life means compassion…
Life is longing…
Life is equality…
Life is creativity…
Life is tolerance…
Life is growth…
Life is laughter…
Life is discovery…
As her mortal remains are laid to rest in peace at the Juma Masjid, Palayam, under the shade of huge flowering trees, it pulls our hearts from within… Usually, as we glimpse through homage paid to dignified personalities, we generally spent a moment recollecting their contributions to the society at large and seldom say an occasional silent prayer. However, it’s very rare that one gets more drawn to think further. Kamala Suraiyya is undoubtedly one such persona to whom we are drawn, more than for her writings and musings. We recollect not just her most popular and critically acclaimed works and narrative columns; her interactions during interviews which were spontaneous and more from within and in Toto her personality.
The versatile qualities of this veteran ranged from that of a natural writer, (short story, novel), a talented poetess and syndicated columnist to a noble socio-cultural figure, a political leader for humanitarian causes and a strong advocate of women empowerment.
She was also patron of the Raksha School for children with multiple disorders. She has also tried her hands in painting and drama.
Just like her multifaceted roles, her social network was also very wide and deep. As her hearse was placed for homage, huge crowd of political and cultural leaders, writers, artist, teachers and students gathered at all locations, as never before, to pay their last respects. This by itself illustrates for the popularity she had gained over her life time in a state famous for its high level of literacy. She could penetrate myriad circles and spheres of Gods own country; from layman to elite, though many a times she had been the centre of different controversies.
As a writer she lured layman with her boldness in expression, simple and easy flow of language, ardent admiration of nature, originality of her confessions, descriptions on womanhood and manifold thoughts that unveiled her own mind. She was a real motivation for all who nurtured a dream for “true” liberty of women and the downtrodden.
Writing under the pen name of Kamala Das in English and assuming the pseudonym of Madhavikutty in her mother tongue Malayalam, she exuded a sense of care, warmth and simplicity to her audience. In most of the interviews, she displayed positive aspects of her personality, even at the face of adversities. She was genuinely feminine, open and innocent in her reactions, treaded honestly, and always transmitted her ideas with excellent clarity and so smooths a manner.
Her popular works encompassed the following:
English
1964: The Sirens (Asian Poetry Prize winner)
1965: Summer in Calcutta (poetry; Kent's Award winner)
1967: The Descendants (poetry)
1973: The Old Playhouse and Other Poems (poetry)
1976: My Story (autobiography)
1977: Alphabet of Lust (novel)
1985: The Anamalai Poems (poetry)
1992: Padmavati the Harlot and Other Stories (collection of short stories)
1996: Only the Soul Knows How to Sing (poetry)
2001: Yaa Allah (collection of poems)
Malayalam
1964: Pakshiyude Maranam (short stories)
1966: Naricheerukal Parakkumbol (short stories)
1968: Thanuppu (short story, Sahitya Academi award)
1987: Balyakala Smaranakal (Childhood Memories)
1989: Varshangalkku Mumbu (Years Before)
1990: Palayan (novel)
1991: Neypayasam (short story)
1992: Dayarikkurippukal (novel)
1994: Neermathalam Pootha Kalam (novel, Vayalar Award winner)
1996: Chekkerunna Pakshikal (short stories)
1998: Nashtapetta Neelambari (short stories)
2005: Chandana Marangal (Novel)
2005: Madhavikkuttiyude Unmakkadhakal (short stories)2x
2005: Vandikkalakal (novel)
In the 1970s, Kamala Das entered politics with a campaign for an indigenous green movement. She contested the assembly elections, traversing the countryside, asking for votes from the people in the villages. Then in 1984, she successfully enticed the whole segment of women voters in Thiruvananthapuram Constituency as a candidate for Lok Sabha election, but in futile. Later after her conversion, she floated the ‘Lok Seva Party’ and aimed to provide refuge to deserted mothers and to promote secularism.
Born into the ancestral Nalapatt Tharavad in Punnayurkulam village of Trissur, in Kerala; she spent her childhood there and in Calcutta with her father V.M.Nair. As a child, she was attracted to poetry and was influenced by her writer mother- Balamani Amma and her uncle, Nalapatt Narayana Menon. The natural landscapes of this village life seems to have left a strong impact that though she lived mostly in metros and cities, her writings reflected more of simple village life in its pure forms.
Kamala started writing casually, during her teen years and early motherhood. From there, she rose as a hard core professional and conquered such great heights that she became widely acclaimed as a “Confessional poet” in World English literature. Though Kamala had very little formal education, it is amusing to note that her poems are being taught in various universities all over the world. She was decorated with innumerable prizes including the Sahitya Academy Award, Asian Poetry Prize, Kent Award etc. She was also nominated for the Nobel Prize for Literature. Her works have been translated to more than 30 languages including French, German, Spanish, Russian and Japanese. An incredible feat indeed!
