The Soul That Knew How To Sing !

The Indian English Literature as well as Malayalam literature had an irreparable loss on 31st May 2009, as the noted writer Kamala Das a.k.a Kamala Surayya a.k.a Madhavikutty passed away in a Pune hospital due to pneumonia. She was 75 and survived by three sons.

Friends and close associates of the writer converged at Jehangir Hospital, where she had been under treatment for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) for over a month. Her body was embalmed at the Sassoon General Hospital and the burial is scheduled for Tuesday (02 June 2009).

People associated with a few Malayali organisations were also present at the time of shifting the body to Mumbai in a van. Her maid-attendant Ammu, who was with Das in her final days, was also present.

Kamala Das' body reached Kerala today (June 1, 2009.) The body will be taken to Eranakulam, Thrissur, a few other places, and finally to VJT Hall in Thiruvananthapuram for people to pay homage. Her burial will take place at the Palayam Juma Masjid in Thiruvananthapuram on Tuesday.

Kamala Das was a poet who lived her life to the fullest. She fostered immense passion even for the smallest incidents in her life. She was a person who moved in accordance with her creative dreams that often raised many eyebrows in the society.

Madhavikutty's writings were confessional ones that unraveled her character without a mask. Often misunderstood by the so-called sophisticated clan in the Indian society, she had to face fierce criticism all through her life!

Kamala Surayya relocated from Cochin to Pune in 2007. Even in the Pune circle she was quite active till the beginning of 2009. She composed her last poetry collection Ya Allah at this time.

The soul who sang the real music has ended its song forever. May her soul rest in peace forever!