Feminism in the Poetry of Kamala Das: An Indian Poetess
Keywords:
Feminism, Confessionalism, Patriarchy, Female Autonomy, Erotic Agency, Domesticity, Postcolonialism, Identity, Subversion, Body Politics, etc.Abstract
The postcolonial Indian English poetic landscape underwent a decisive transformation with the emergence of Kamala Das, whose confessional verse challenged the quietism and conventional modesty historically demanded of women writers. This paper examines the feminist dimensions of Kamala Das’s poetry, focusing on her radical self-disclosure, bodily autonomy, linguistic rebellion, and interrogation of patriarchal marriage. By analyzing key thematic motifs across her oeuvre—including the subversion of domestic roles, the expression of female erotic desire, and the reclamation of the personal “I”—this article demonstrates how Das transformed private suffering into an articulate critique of institutional gender oppression. Through a close textual evaluation framed by feminist literary theory, the article posits Das’s verse as a foundational site for South Asian postcolonial feminist thought, illustrating how her poetic voice dismantles patriarchal control to assert womanhood as an autonomous, self-determined identity.
How to cite this article:
Priydarshi A K. Feminism in the Poetry of Kamala Das: An Indian Poetess. J Adv Res Eng & Edu 2025; 10(3): 22-25.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.24321/2456.4370.202520
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