Honouring the life of Kamala Das

L to R: Lavanya Khare, Nasmia Merchant, Randhir Khare, Priyanka Sutaria and Jaisurya Das. Photograph by Sanket Wankhade

Kamala Das was one of the most noteworthy bilingual poets and writers in post-Independent India. English readers knew her as ‘Kamala Das’ and Malayalam readers first knew her by her pen-name Madhavikutty and later by her adopted name Kamala Suraiyya. Her open and honest treatment of sensuality, free from any sense of guilt marked her as one of the strongest and bold voices of her generation. Her formidable literary achievements have won her several awards including the Asian Poetry Prize, the Kent Award for English Writing from Asian Countries, the Asian World Prize and the Sahitya Academy Award, to name a few. One of the most notable accomplishments for Kamala Das is being the first and only Indian woman to be nominated for the Nobel Prize for Literature. A legend whose work has etched a mark in history whilst being an inspiration to a number of young people who were in the process of discovering their own voice will continue doing so through an initiative by Gyaan Adab. Gyaan Adab, a cultural centre in the city announced The Kamala Das Prize at a press conference held on Wednesday. It has been established to honour a young unpublished woman poet or writer under 30 years, annually.

Speaking on the occasion, Randhir Khare, Director, Gyaan Adab, who has also been mentored by Das in his earlier days as a poet illustrated the importance of this honour. He says, “Kamala Das has not just been a great poet and writer but an inspiration to me and a lot of people of my generation. She would always encourage, support, nurture new writers and help them become who they truly are. At Gyaan Adab, we work hard to showcase established and young talent and provide a platform for them, similar to what Kamala Das believed in. Therefore, we decided to honour the legacy of Kamala Das by introducing the prize on September 24.”

Also, present at the press conference was the legendary poet’s son Jaisurya Das who expressed his gratitude for introducing the award and congratulated Priyanka Sutaria, recipient of the first Kamala Das Prize. “This would be an extremely happy moment for mom. She got a high each time someone did well. I’m sure she’s watching from above and enjoying every bit,” said Das (*See Disclosure).

Priyanka Saturia, who will be presented the Kamala Das Prize on September 24, is a young poet and a student at Symbiosis School for Liberal Arts. She has been given the prize for her unpublished manuscript of poems, The Uncertainty of Being.  Sharing her joy, she said, “I have always tried to find a medium to express myself and poetry has become that for me. It has given me a deep sense of contentment more than any other art form. I feel that in today’s time poetry has lost its essence and such awards are necessary. I enjoyed Kamala Das’s political poetry the most.”

The choice for the first prize winner was endorsed by five nominations from individuals and organisations supporting the arts. According to Khare, a guideline for nominations for future prizes will be issued after the first award has been given. Gyaan Adab has also partnered with River Books, a newly established publishing house which will publish the winning manuscript. Speaking a little more about the venture, Lavanya Khare, editor and publisher at River Books, said: “We, at River Books, feel that for a young writer, promotion and distribution of their work is equally important. Therefore, this collaboration will allow us to identify new writers as well as promote them.” Also present at the press conference was Nasima Merchant, Trustee, Gyaan Adab.

The programme at Gyaan Adab starts at 7 pm on  September 24 and will recount the highlights of Kamala Das’s life and work and will feature readings and talks by eminent author Rohini Gupta. There will also be a special screening of Randhir Khare’s interview with Jaisurya on his mother Kamala.

 

*Disclosure: Jaisurya Das is also Co-founder, Pune365

Zeenat Tinwala