Poetry of Kamala Das: A psychoanalytical review

Indian English literature especially the Indian poetry in English has witnessed multiple social struggles on various levels that motivated a number of poets to scribble their pen dipped in the ink of protest. They tried to explore the unexplored practices and beliefs which existed in the society. Indian woman has been facing many problems right from the beginning of history. Even before independence, they suffered humiliation and suppression in every aspect of her life. She was always chained by social beliefs and marital norms. A double standard always waited for her inside and outside the society. The sacrificial role of woman still continues even in this 21th century, though we claim equality for masculine and feminine genders. On the other hand, there were many women rulers who were epitomes of velour and vitality in the past. However true the history is, it is a pale truth that woman remains to be a mere woman. This evoked the curiosity, anxiety or rather frustration for the writers. Thus, feminine sensibility has emerged as a main theme in the writings of different writers, especially contemporary woman poet like Kamala Das. Her poetry is based on “The Theory of Psychoanalysis” with much feminine sensibility.

The “Theory of Psychoanalysis” is a general theory of human emotions, experience and behavior which aims to seek the complex and complicated relationship between body and mind. Kamala Das's poetry has pictured the human existence dangling between excitement and misery of certain moments. The existential despair and reality of duality is highlighted throughout her poetry.