Project on Kamla Das

ENGLISH
PROJECT
NAME: ANIRUDH CHATTERJEE ROLL NO: 7
CLASS: XII A6

Iwould like to express my sincere gratitude to all those who have supported
and contributed to the successful completion of myEnglish project.
Firstand foremost, Iwould like to thank my English teacher, Mrs.Prathibha
ma'am, for her guidance and valuable insights throughout thisproject. Her expertise
and dedication have been instrumental in shaping myunderstanding of the
Englishlanguage and literature.
Iam also deeply grateful to my classmates who provided constructive
feedback and engaged in meaningful discussions during the project. Their
perspectives and ideas greatly enriched my understanding of the subject matter.
Iwould liketo extend myappreciation to the staff of the school
library for their assistance in accessing relevant resources. Their efforts in
maintaining a well-stocked library have been invaluable in my research.

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT
Iwould like to express my sincere gratitude to all those who have supported
and contributed to the successful completion of myEnglish project.
Firstand foremost, Iwould like to thank my English teacher, Mrs.Prathibha
ma'am, for her guidance and valuable insights throughout thisproject. Her expertise
and dedication have been instrumental in shaping myunderstanding of the
Englishlanguage and literature.
Iam also deeply grateful to my classmates who provided constructive
feedback and engaged in meaningful discussions during the project. Their
perspectives and ideas greatly enriched my understanding of the subject matter.
Iwould liketo extend myappreciation to the staff of the school
library for their assistance in accessing relevant resources. Their efforts in
maintaining a well-stocked library have been invaluable in my research.

INDEX
 KAMALA DAS
 POET INTRODUCTION
 HER LIFE
 HER WORK
 HER STYLEOF POETRY
 COMPARISION BETWEEN THE POEMS
 SIMILARITIES
 DIFFERENCES
 THEMES
 REFLECTIONS
 CONCLUSION
 BIBLIOGRAPHY

KAMLA
DAS
“Mother of
modern English
poetry in India”

INTRODUCTIO
N
Kamala Das, also known as Kamala Surayya or Madhavikutty,
was an Indian poet, author, and activist. She wasborn on
March 31, 1934, in Punnayurkulam, Kerala, India, and passed
away on May 31, 2009.
Kamala Das is celebrated as one of the most influential and
iconic figures in Indian literature. Her works, written in English
and Malayalam, often explored themes of love, desire, gender,
and the constraints imposed by society. She wrote with great
honesty and openness, challenging societal norms and
conventions. Her bold and candid portrayal of female sexuality
and her uninhibited expression of personal experiences made
hera controversial figure in hertime.
Some of hernotable worksinclude herautobiography, "My
Story," which was published in 1976 and remains one of her most
popular and widely-read works. The book provides an intimate
account of herlife, struggles, and relationships.She also
published numerous collections of poetry, including "Summer in
Calcutta" (1965), "The Descendants" (1967), and "The Old
Playhouse and Other Poems" (1973).

HER LIFE
Kamala Das had a tumultuous personal life that greatly influenced her writing.
She was born into a conservative Hindu Nair family and faced significant
restrictions and societal expectations. She had an unhappy childhood, feeling
confined and suppressed. At the age of 15, she was forced into an arranged
marriage with a banker, Madhava Das. The marriage brought her to Calcutta
(now Kolkata), where she had a troubled relationship with her husband and his
family. The oppressive environment she experienced in her marital home and
society further fueled her desire for freedom and self-expression.
In her later life, Kamala Das went through multiple marriages and relationships,
which were often scrutinized and criticized. She embraced a free-spirited lifestyle
and openly expressed her views on love, desire, and feminism. Her unapologetic
and bold approach to writing made her a pioneering voice in Indian literature.

HER WORKS
Kamala Das published several books of poetry and prose in English and Malayalam. Some of her
notable works include "TheSirens,""Summerin Calcutta," "TheDescendants," "TheOld Playhouse and
Other Poems," and "My Story,"an autobiographical work that caused significant controversy for itscandid
depiction of her personal life.Her writingsdelved into themes such as love, desire,passion, identity, and the
search for selfhood. Kamala Das's works often straddle the personal and the political, intertwining her own
experiences with larger social issues.Her writingischaracterized by itslyrical beauty, emotional intensity,and
a fearlessexploration of taboos.
She iscelebrated for herability to give voice to the silenced and to challenge the established norms of her
time. Kamala Das's workscontinue to inspire and resonate with readers, making her a prominent figure in
Indian literature.

HER STYLE OF POETRY
Kamala Das' poetry isknown for its confessional and introspective nature.
She wrote in a deeply personal and intimate voice, often expressing her
emotions, desires, and vulnerabilities. Her poemsare characterized by
evocative imagery, vivid descriptions, and a raw honesty that strips away
societal norms and conventions. She used simple language to convey
complex emotions, making her work accessible and relatable to readers.

COMPARISON BETWEEN THE
POEMS
 SIMILARITIES
 Introspection: Both poems exhibit Kamala Das' introspective
style, where she reflects on personal experiences and
emotions.
 Theme of Aging: Both poems explore the theme of aging
and the changes it brings to relationships and the self.
 Sensory Imagery: Both poems employ vivid sensory imagery
to create a rich and immersive experience for the readers.
 Emotional Tone: The emotional tone in both poems is
contemplative, nostalgic, and melancholic.

 DIFFERENCES
 Subject Matter: "My Mother at 66" focuses on the relationship between the speaker
and her aging mother, while "My Grandmother's House" reminiscesabout the poet's
childhood memories and the house where her grandmother lived.
 Perspective: In "My Mother at 66," the poet takes on a more personal and intimate
perspective, reflecting on her feelings towards her mother. In "My Grandmother's House,"the
poet adopts a more nostalgic and distant perspective, recalling her childhood and the
house where her grandmother lived.
 Structure: "My Mother at 66" is a free verse poem with irregular line lengths, while "My
Grandmother's House" follows a more structured and rhythmic pattern with regular stanzas.
 Emotional Focus: "My Mother at 66" evokes a sense of anxiety and
concern about the mother's mortality and the changing dynamics of

THEME
The theme in both "My Mother at 66" and "My Grandmother's House" revolves around the
passage of time and the impact it has on relationships and personal experiences.
In "My Mother at 66,"the theme centers on the aging process and its effect on the bond
between a mother and her child. The poem explores the poet's emotions of concern, love, and
vulnerability as she witnesses her mother growing older. Itdelves into the inevitable changes that
come with aging, highlighting the fragility of life and the shift in roles and responsibilities between
parent and child. The theme of mortality and the realization of the transience of life underlie the
poem, evoking a sense of both tenderness and sadness.
"My Grandmother's House" explores the theme of nostalgia and the longing for the past. The
poem reflects on the poet's memories of her childhood and the house where her grandmother
lived. Itcaptures the essence of a bygone era, portraying a sense of warmth, familiarity, and
security associated with the poet's ancestral home. The theme emphasizes the significance of
personal and cultural heritage, as well as the longing to reconnect with one's roots. It conveys a
bittersweet tone, evoking a mix of joy and melancholy as the poet reminisces about a place that
holds deep sentimental value.
In summary, the theme of both poems by Kamala Das, "My Mother at 66" and "My Grandmother's
House," encompasses the passage of time, the impact of aging on relationships, and the
nostalgic longing for cherished memories.

REFLECTIONS
Upon reflecting on the poems "My Mother at 66" and "My Grandmother's House" by Kamala Das,
several aspects emerge that contribute to a deeper understanding of the poet and her works.
Firstly, Kamala Das's introspective and confessional style of writing becomes evident in both poems.
She delves into personal experiences and emotions, exposing her vulnerabilities and allowing readers
to connect with her on a deeply emotional level. This style of writing is characteristic of Das's work and
contributesto the raw and honest nature of herpoetry.
The theme of aging and its impact on relationships is another significant aspect that resonates in both
poems. In "My Mother at 66," Das explores the complex emotions that arise when witnessing a loved
one's journey through the later stages of life. The poem captures the universal experience of grappling
with the reality of mortality and the changing dynamics between parent and child. Similarly, "My
Grandmother's House" reflects on the nostalgia and longing associated with childhood memories and the
passage of time. It highlights the importance of heritage and the sense of belonging that is often deeply
rooted in ourancestral homes.

CONCLUSION
In conclusion, the comparative study of the poems "My Mother at 66" and "My
Grandmother's House" by Kamala Das provides a glimpse into the life and works of
this influential poet. Kamala Das, known for her confessional style and bold
exploration of themes, left a lasting impact on Indian English literature.
Through her introspective and confessional writing, Kamala Das opened a window
into her personal experiences and emotions. She fearlessly expressed her desires,
vulnerabilities, and struggles, challenging societal norms and conventions. Her works
reflect her own journey of self-discovery and the complexities of human relationships.
Both poems explore the theme of aging and its effects on relationships. "My Mother at
66" delves into the evolving bond between a mother and her child as the mother
grows older, touching upon themes of mortality, love, and changing dynamics. "My
Grandmother's House" reminiscesabout childhood memories and the yearning for a
connection to one's roots, emphasizing the importance of heritage and nostalgia.

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