Published Paper Details:

Kamala Surayya (1934-2009), better known as Kamala Das and revered as "the mother of Indian English Poetry," regardless of her plaintive poetic voice, is a highly anthologized and distinguished figure in contemporary Indian English literature, encompassing evocative poetry, novels, and short stories to her credit. The present study, taking into account Das's selected poems, such as "Krishna," "Ghanshyam," "Radha," "The Maggots," "A Phantom Lotus," and "Radha-Krishna," painstakingly portrays the mythical-cum-spiritual imagery and symbolism she borrowed from mythology, emphasizing the cyclical and spiritual aspects of her experiences. Das extensively employs mythical imagery, which enables her to explore the collective unconscious and use archetypal symbols and stories that have universal appeal across nations and time. She gives her poetry a feeling of universality and timelessness by referencing mythological characters, gods, and goddesses from Hindu mythology. While serving as a link between the past and the present, these mythical images connect the reader to historical traditions rich in knowledge and significance.