The Old Playhouse, and Other Poems

poetry by Das

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July 22, 2026

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"The Old Playhouse, and Other Poems" is a poetry collection by Kamala Das, an Indian author known for her candid exploration of female sexuality and the experiences of Indian women. Published in 1973, it is one of her notable English-language works. Das wrote in both English and Malayalam, often under the pen name Madhavikutty. Her writing, which includes poetry, short stories, memoirs, and essays, brought her both acclaim and controversy. She was part of a generation of Indian writers focusing on personal narratives rather than colonial themes.1

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Kamala Das
… (1965), The Descendants (1967), and The Old Playhouse, and Other Poems (1973). Subsequent English-language works included the novel Alphabet of Lust (1976) and the short stories “A Doll for the Child Prostitute” (1977) and “Padmavati the Harlot” (1992). Notable among her many Malayalam works were the short-story collection Thanuppu (1967;…
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… (1965), The Descendants (1967), and The Old Playhouse, and Other Poems (1973). Subsequent English-language works included the novel Alphabet of Lust (1976) and the short stories “A Doll for the Child Prostitute” (1977) and “Padmavati the Harlot” (1992). Notable among her many Malayalam works were the short-story collection Thanuppu (1967;…
Read More