Introduction of the Poem “The Sunshine Cat,” a poem from the collection Summer in Calcutta (1965), delves into the stark contrast between lust and love, offering a compelling exploration of their consequences. This personal yet universally resonant poem portrays the tragic outcomes of a life consumed by lust, devoid of emotional and spiritual fulfillment. The … Read more
Introduction of the Poem: The poem “The Wild Bougainvillea” by Kamala Das, featured in the collection “Summer in Calcutta” (1965), serves as a form of ‘psychic striptease,’ reflecting Kamala Das’ own life experiences. It delves into a profound exploration of true love and philosophically contemplates life’s continuation beyond death. The poem concludes on an optimistic … Read more
Introduction of the Poem: “Glass” appeared in The Old Playhouse and Other Poems (1973). The word “glass” has here been used metaphorically for a woman who is fragile and thus easily broken and shattered. In this poem, Kamala Das gives vent to her frustration, verging on despair, because of the unfulfilled sex acts she has … Read more
Introduction of the Poem: “The Freaks” is, again, another poem in which the poet does not find fulfilment in the sex act as she lies in bed with her lover. She calls herself a freak who pretends to be lustful in order that she may be regarded as a normal person. Critical Summary: As she … Read more
Introduction of the Poem: Kamala Das here gives a brief account of a sexual experience she had but which put her in a dilemma. The lover made love to her with much fervour and much passion, but still the end she could not decide whether it was sheer lust which motivated him, or he had … Read more
Introduction of the Poem: Taken from Kamala Das’ collection of poems, Summer in Calcutta (1965), this poem is wholly autobiographical. It may be called a confessional poem because here the poet takes the reader into confidence with regard to strictly personal and private matters. An Introduction shows Kamala Das’ candour in dealing with sex, with … Read more
Introduction of the Poem: Whenever she went and wherever she lived, Kamala Das looked back to the happy days spent in her grandmother’s company with nostalgia and yearning. In this poem, published in Summer in Calcutta in 1965, Kamala Das recalls the landscape of Kerala. Others may be annoyed by heat, dust and noise, but … Read more
Introduction of the Poem: It seems that the poet’s grandmother showered a lot of love and affection on the young Kamala Das as a growing child. She is often remembered in her poetry, as in, My Grandmother’s House and A Hot Noon in Malabar. In this poem, Kamala Das recalls the house where she once … Read more
Introduction of the Poem: In this dramatic monologue a Buddhist addresses someone in Chicago a person who is sympathetic to Buddhism. Ramanujan lived most of his life in Chicago, though he was born in Mysore. Critical Summary: The speaker here has some practical advice to give to his listener. He urges the man in … Read more
Introduction of the Poem: “Self – Portrait”, one of Ramanujan’s obscure poems, is puzzling, even bewildering. The speaker in the poem is unable to identify himself when he looks into a mirror but when he looks into the shop windows; he sees the portrait of a stranger with his father’s signature in the corner. … Read more