An Introduction by Kamala Das

I don’t know politics but I know the names

Of those in power, and can repeat them like

Days of week, or names of months, beginning with Nehru.

I am Indian, very brown, born in Malabar,

I speak three languages, write in

Two, dream in one.

Don’t write in English, they said, English is

Not your mother-tongue. Why not leave

Me alone, critics, friends, visiting cousins,

Every one of you? Why not let me speak in

Any language I like? The language I speak,

Becomes mine, its distortions, its queernesses

All mine, mine alone.

It is half English, half Indian, funny perhaps, but it is honest,

It is as human as I am human, don’t

You see? It voices my joys, my longings, my

Hopes, and it is useful to me as cawing

Is to crows or roaring to the lions, it

Is human speech, the speech of the mind that is

Here and not there, a mind that sees and hears and

Is aware. Not the deaf, blind speech

Of trees in storm or of monsoon clouds or of rain or the

Incoherent mutterings of the blazing

Funeral pyre. I was child, and later they

Told me I grew, for I became tall, my limbs

Swelled and one or two places sprouted hair.

When I asked for love, not knowing what else to ask

For, he drew a youth of sixteen into the

Bedroom and closed the door, He did not beat me

But my sad woman-body felt so beaten.

The weight of my breasts and womb crushed me.

I shrank Pitifully.

Then … I wore a shirt and my

Brother’s trousers, cut my hair short and ignored

My womanliness. Dress in sarees, be girl

Be wife, they said. Be embroiderer, be cook,

Be a quarreller with servants. Fit in. Oh,

Belong, cried the categorizers. Don’t sit

On walls or peep in through our lace-draped windows.

Be Amy, or be Kamala. Or, better

Still, be Madhavikutty. It is time to

Choose a name, a role. Don’t play pretending games.

Don’t play at schizophrenia or be a

Nympho. Don’t cry embarrassingly loud when

Jilted in love … I met a man, loved him. Call

Him not by any name, he is every man

Who wants. a woman, just as I am every

Woman who seeks love. In him . . . the hungry haste

Of rivers, in me . . . the oceans’ tireless

Waiting. Who are you, I ask each and everyone,

The answer is, it is I. Anywhere and,

Everywhere, I see the one who calls himself I

In this world, he is tightly packed like the

Sword in its sheath. It is I who drink lonely

Drinks at twelve, midnight, in hotels of strange towns,

It is I who laugh, it is I who make love

And then, feel shame, it is I who lie dying

With a rattle in my throat. I am sinner,

I am saint. I am the beloved and the

Betrayed. I have no joys that are not yours, no

Aches which are not yours. I too call myself I.

About the Poet

Kamala Das (1934–2009) was a renowned Indian poet, short-story writer, and memoirist who wrote in both English and Malayalam. She is celebrated for her bold and confessional style, often addressing themes of love, identity, female desire, and societal norms. Writing under the pen name Madhavikutty in Malayalam, she explored issues of gender and patriarchy, bringing a revolutionary voice to Indian literature. Her major works include Summer in Calcutta (1965), The Descendants (1967), and her autobiography My Story (1976). Das’s poetry is deeply personal, exploring the struggles of womanhood, linguistic identity, and self-expression.

Background of the Poem

“An Introduction” is one of Kamala Das’s most famous poems, taken from her collection Summer in Calcutta (1965). This poem is a confessional piece in which she explores themes of gender discrimination, identity, and freedom. She questions patriarchal authority and asserts her right to define her own identity, challenging societal expectations imposed on women. Through this poem, Das highlights her struggles with linguistic and cultural identity, reflecting on her resistance against prescribed roles and expectations.

Summary of the Poem

“An Introduction” is a deeply personal poem that outlines Kamala Das’s struggle with identity, language, and gender roles. She begins by asserting her right to speak any language she pleases, breaking free from linguistic barriers. She then critiques the gender norms imposed on women, describing how she was forced into societal roles from an early age. The poem also touches upon her resistance to traditional marriage and her struggles with personal and bodily autonomy. Through raw and unapologetic confessional poetry, she establishes her own voice, refusing to conform to societal norms that suppress individuality.

Main Themes

Search for Identity – The poem captures Das’s quest to define herself on her own terms, challenging linguistic and societal restrictions.
Language and Expression – The poet asserts the right to express herself in any language, rejecting the notion that her identity should be confined to a single tongue.
Feminism and Gender Roles – The poem critiques the way women are conditioned to follow traditional roles, highlighting issues of oppression and autonomy.
Rebellion Against Patriarchy – The poet resists patriarchal control over her identity, body, and personal choices, emphasizing the struggle of women in a male-dominated society.
Confessional Poetry – “An Introduction” is a deeply personal and honest account of Das’s own experiences, making it a powerful example of confessional poetry.

Poetic Devices Used in the Poem

Free Verse – The poem is written in free verse, allowing a spontaneous and fluid expression of thoughts.
Repetition – The phrase “I am” is repeated to emphasize self-assertion and identity.
Imagery – Vivid images such as “belonging nowhere and everywhere” reflect her internal struggles.
Contrast – The poem contrasts male dominance with female oppression, underscoring gender disparities.
Enjambment – The continuation of thoughts across lines creates a conversational tone.
Symbolism – The act of speaking multiple languages symbolizes self-expression and breaking free from societal constraints.

Essay Questions for Further Exploration

How does Kamala Das challenge traditional gender roles in the poem “An Introduction”?
Discuss the significance of language and linguistic identity in “An Introduction.”
How does the poem reflect elements of confessional poetry?
Analyze the use of poetic devices such as imagery, repetition, and symbolism in the poem.
Discuss how the poem “An Introduction” serves as a feminist manifesto.

Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs)

What collection features the poem “An Introduction”? a) The Descendants
b) Summer in Calcutta
c) My Story
d) The Old Playhouse
Answer: b) Summer in Calcutta
What theme is central to the poem “An Introduction”? a) War and destruction
b) Love and romance
c) Identity and self-expression
d) Historical events
Answer: c) Identity and self-expression
What poetic form does Kamala Das use in “An Introduction”? a) Sonnet
b) Free verse
c) Haiku
d) Ballad
Answer: b) Free verse
How does Kamala Das view language in the poem? a) As a means of oppression
b) As a tool of self-expression and liberation
c) As a divine gift
d) As unnecessary in modern society
Answer: b) As a tool of self-expression and liberation
What phrase is repeated in the poem to emphasize self-assertion? a) “You must”
b) “They said”
c) “I am”
d) “It is”
Answer: c) “I am”
What societal norm does the poet critique in “An Introduction”? a) The expectation for women to remain silent and submissive
b) The importance of education
c) The role of men in literature
d) The significance of religious traditions
Answer: a) The expectation for women to remain silent and submissive
Which literary movement is “An Introduction” often associated with? a) Romanticism
b) Confessional poetry
c) Symbolism
d) Modernism
Answer: b) Confessional poetry
How does the poet express rebellion in the poem? a) By glorifying nature
b) By adhering to traditional norms
c) By asserting her identity and rejecting societal expectations
d) By praising religious values
Answer: c) By asserting her identity and rejecting societal expectations