As far as post independent Indian English poets are concerned Kamala Das is one of the pioneering Indo-English poets who has contributed immensely to the growth and development of modern Indian English poetry. During the first phase of Hindu anglian poetry indeed, in the 1950s the spirit of modernism was almost alien to the poets of this period. Their main preoccupation was the spirit of nationalism and the war of independence during partition of country. It was only in the sixties that things began to take a new dimension where a new generation of young poets took control of the Indo-Anglian poetic realm. Kamala Das is one of the most powerful voices of this post colonial era. Her poetry is a frank and straightforward expression of feminine sensibility. She revolts against the exploitation of women. She expresses her anger against the male dominance in the society. She attempted to establish her identity as woman through her poems. At the same time she tried to impart an identity to Indian women. So her poetry is confessional and autobiographical to a great extent but at times she universalizes what is personal. In "An Introduction" Das explores powerful themes of feminism, equal rights, freedom and marriage. This poem is a very clear feminist statement that advocates of free choice for all women. Imtiaz Dharker deals with the replication of the female histories and the portrayal of the female subject as victim agent. She also explores the struggle for freedom, hope, social change, feminine sensibility, womanhood, religious strife, gender conflict, misinterpretation of religion, hypocrisy, practised in the name of God. A ruthless oppression of women, socio-political unrest, the sufferings of women, child marriage, illiteracy, ill treatment of widows, dowry deaths, ill-matched marriages and female foeticide etc. are some of the common themes that run through her poem Purdah and Other Poems. deal with the various aspects of a Muslim woman's life where she experiences injustice, oppression and violence engineered through the culture of 'Purdah'. The main aim of this paper is to unfold how both above mentioned poetesses rebel against the restraints of society which are meant to exploit woman in the patriarchal society.
Research Scholar, P.G. Department of English, Magadh University, Bodh-Gaya
