A STUDY OF IDENTITY IN THE POETRY OF KAMALA DAS

Abstract Kamala Das is one of the most powerful and controversial voices in Indian English poetry. Her poems focus on the inner life of women and explore themes such as identity, love, sexuality, marriage, and emotional suffering. This paper examines how Kamala Das constructs and expresses female identity in her poetry. It analyzes how her work challenges traditional gender roles and gives voice to women’s personal experiences. By studying selected poems and major themes, this paper highlights Kamala Das’s contribution to the understanding of identity and selfhood in Indian English literature.