Kamala Das (1934–2009), also known as Madhavikutty and later as Kamala Surayya, was a bold and controversial literary figure in India. Born into an aristocratic family in Kerala, she challenged the archetype of the “ideal Indian woman” by writing openly about female desire, infidelity, and the quest for love. Writing in both English and Malayalam, she became a prominent voice in confessional poetry and is often compared to Sylvia Plath and Anne Sexton. Her 1973 autobiography, My Story, gained widespread attention for its frank depiction of her loveless marriage and extramarital affairs. Her notable works include Summer in Calcutta (1965), An Introduction (1965), and The Old Playhouse and Other Poems (1973). She received numerous awards, including the PEN Asian Poetry Prize (1963) and the Kendra Sahitya Akademi Award (1985).