Kamala Das Malayalam: Story Is An Autobiographical Book Written by Indian Author and

Story is an autobiographical book written by Indian author and

poet Kamala Das (also known as Kamala Surayya or
Madhavikutty). The book was originally published
in Malayalam, titled Ente Katha. The book evoked violent
reactions of admiration and criticism among the readers and
critics. It remains to date the best-selling woman's
autobiography in India.
My Story is a chronologically ordered, linear narrative written in
a realist style. In the book, Das recounts the trials of her
marriage and her painful self-awakening as a woman and
writer. The entire account written in the format of a novel.
Though My Story was supposed to be an autobiography, Das
later admitted that there was plenty of fiction in it.[1]
Contents
 1Plot summary
 2Publication
 3Reception
 4References

Plot summary[edit]
The book, with 50 chapters, follows Aami's ( Kamala ) life from
age four through British colonial and missionary schools
in Calcutta where she had to face racist discrimination; through
the brutal and indulgent relationship with her husband; through
her sexual awakening; her literary career; extramarital affairs;
the birth of her children; and, finally, a slow but steady coming
to terms with her spouse, writing, and sexuality. She mostly
upholds her personal self in her autobiography rather than the
political and social upheaval predominant during the war of
independence in the then India.
Publication[edit]
Ente Katha was serialised in 1972 in the now
defunct Malayalanadu weekly, a literary magazine published by
S. K. Nair. The novel not only created a literary sensation but
even invited the wrath of Das' close relatives who wanted to
stop its publication. V. B. C. Nair, the Editor
of Malayalanadu recalls, "Despite pressure from her influential
relatives to stop the publication of the work, Kamala remained
bold and it proved a roaring hit boosting the circulation of the
weekly by 50,000 copies within a fortnight."[2]
Das had written My Story in English a couple of years back
before it was rendered into Malayalam. At the time when she
was penning down the memoir in English, S. K. Nair suggested
her to translate it for his weekly. The novel was first published
as a book by Current Books in February 1973. It is being
published by DC Books from August 1982. The English version
was published in the year 1976 by Sterling Publishers, with
many changes made to the manuscript which she wrote in
1970. The book has been published by Harper Collins India
since 2009. A Hindi translation titled Meri Kahaani is being
published by Hind Pocket Books.
Reception[edit]
My Story remains one of the most popular and controversial
autobiographies by an Indian author.
Poet and litterateur K. Satchidanandan said, "I cannot think of
any other Indian autobiography that so honestly captures a
woman's inner life in all its sad solitude, its desperate longing
for real love and its desire for transcendence, its tumult of
colours and its turbulent poetry."[3] For Jaydeep Sarangi, doyen
Indian English critic, Das was a champion voice of
'confessional poetry'.
Other reviews and comments
 Sunday Standard:
"It is a straightforward story.. It has sincerity that strikes an
immediate rapport with the reader."[3]
The Hindu
"There are entire section that are marvelously written."[3]
 Deccan Herald
"Among the best things I have read, it is the turbulent, self-
indulgent but at all times, frank story of Kamala Das."[3]
Assam Tribune

"Kamala Das does not hide her secrets and does not
follows the rules of old morality."[3]
The Times of India


"The chapter headings accentuate the 'Excitement'. There
is enough in it to give readers the sizzle and spice."[3]
National Herald

"The technique and structure of the book are remarkable.
The life portrait of the cosmopolitans is quite pictorial."[3]
References[edit]
1. ^ Shahnaz Habib (18 June 2009). "Obituary :
Kamala Das – Indian writer and poet who inspired
women struggling to be free of domestic
oppression". The Guardian. London. Retrieved 2
June 2013.
2. ^ "'My Story' made Kamala Surayya celebrity:
Malayalanadu editor". The Times of India.
Trivandrum. Press Trust of India. 1 June 2009.
Archived from the original on 29 June 2013.
Retrieved 2 June 2013.
3. ^ Jump up to:a b c d e f g "Meri Kahani
(HINDI)" Archived 29 June 2013 at archive.today.
Indiaclub.com. Retrieved 1 June 2013.

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