Variable Selves of Kamala Das

Kamala Das through her writings explicates the Butlerian notion of subversive identities constantly demonstrating the constructudness of sex, gender and desire. She flaunts and parodies traditional female stereotypes and adopts at her will identities that are constantly contradicting herself. This would remind one of Butler’s notion for a variable construction of identities where one could participate in a range of identities. Through her works Das reveals the fluidity and ambiguity of the self. The paper is presented by Dr. Meena T. Pillai, Associate Professor, Institute of English.