Book Review - A Childhood in Malabar, Kamala Das

A Childhood in Malabar: A Memoir, Kamala Das

This is the third book of Kamala Das that I had picked up, after ‘My Story’ and ‘Closure: Some Poems and a Conversation’. While in ‘My Story’, Kamala Das managed to cause a rupture in many minds over her writing style and discussion of topics that were considered ‘taboo’ till then, ‘Closure: Some Poems…’ happened to be a good collection of her eloquent yet sharp poems that made me admire the wonderful poet in her.

Like ‘My Story’, ‘A Childhood in Malabar’ is also a biographical, tell-tale book, in which Kamala Das recounts her growing up and coming of age at the simple and serene village surroundings of Kerala. Sent to Kerala from Kolkata at the outburst of World War II, for the sake of safety, Kamala revels in the presence of caring elders and learns various sides of human personality. But just because the stories are all about her childhood, don’t mistake that these are entirely about crow, fox, mice and cats. 

Kamala Das has indulged in her usual mischievous style every now and then and the entire book is more of a narrative than just stories. Though it is about the childhood events, she has infused a lot about the intense human emotions as well. One thing that stands throughout is her feminine yearnings for a better appearance and fairer skin. Seems even one of the best female writers of the country isn’t spared of such ‘pains’.

If you relished reading ‘My Story’ you will definitely relish reading this too. But don’t expect all the glitz, glamour and sexual frankness in this book. This is about innocent childhood and though once in a while Kamala gives a hint of something like that, this remains mainly a book on childhood. Moreover, Kamala Das herself has accepted that she had to use a bit of fiction while writing ‘My Story’ to spice up (!) the book.

Overall, a good book, where Kamala Das takes you around on a journey into the world of ponds, farmlands, servant maids, muthassi, ammaman, achan, typically serene surroundings of rural Kerala, snacks, siblings and sentiments. Try it and you will not be disappointed!