Mallika Sengupta is a renowned Bengali poet and feminist, who was also a reader of Sociology belonging to the city of Kolkata, West Bengal. Her unique style of `unapologetically political poetry` made her a prominent poet. She served as the Head of the Department of Sociology for Maharani Kasiswari College, which is a college affiliated to the University of Calcutta, Kolkata. This college offers courses at undergraduate levels. The Bengali poet Mallika Sengupta shot to fame through her literary abilities and has over 20 books to her credit which comprise two novels and 14 volumes of poetry. Several of her literary creations have been translated and she has often been invited at numerous global literary festivals and events. She was born in the year 1960.
Achievements of Mallika Sengupta
Mallika Sengupta rendered her services as the poetry editor of `Sananda`, the reputed Bengali fortnightly magazine, during the 1990`s for a period of 12 years. The versatile film-maker and Bengali actress Aparna Sen is the editor of this magazine. Besides, Mallika Sengupta has also been the founder and editor of a Bengali magazine named `Bhashanagar`, along with Subodh Sarkar, her husband. Many English translations of the works composed by Mallika Sengupta have been observed in numerable Indian as well as American literary collections. Mallika Sengupta has also actively participated in the cause of feminism and gender justice and many other social issues, apart from devoting her time to writing, editing and imparting education. Her blazing and antagonistic tone can be seen in many poems.
Activism and Literary Themes of Mallika Sengupta
Poems like `While teaching my son history`, `Juddhasheshe nari`, etc are quite famous. Certain lines from the poem While Teaching my son History goes as:
"Man alone was both God and Goddess
Man was both father and mother
Both tune and flute
Both penis and vagina
As we have learnt from history."
This particular poem belongs to her poetry book `Kathamanabi`. One of her poems sketching the life of the legendary woman named `Khana`, whose tongue was chopped off by her envious husband, has won accolades. Certain lines from the poem Khana are as follows:
"In Bengal in the Middle ages
Lived a woman Khanaa, I sing her life
The first Bengali woman poet
Her tongue they severed with a knife
Her speechless voice, "Khanaar Bachan"
Still resonates in the hills and skies
Only the poet by the name of Khanaa
Bleeding she dies."
Works of Mallika Sengupta
| Literary Creations - Poetry |
Year |
| Challish Chander Ayu |
1983 |
| Ami Sindhur Meye |
1988 |
| Haghare O Debdasi |
1991 |
| Ardhek Prithivi |
1993 |
| Meyeder Aa Aaa Ka Kha |
1998 |
| Kathamanabi |
1999 |
| Deoyalir Rat |
2001 |
| Amra Lasya Amra Ladai |
2001 |
| Purushke Lekha Chithi |
2003 |
| Chheleke History Parate Giye |
2005 |
| Shrestha Kabita, Kolkata |
2005 |
| Aamake Sariye Dao Valobasa |
2006 |
| Purusher Janyo Eksho Kabita |
2007 |
| O Janemon Jibananada, Banolata Sen Likhchhi |
2008 |
| Brishtimichhil Barudmichhil |
2010 |
| Poetry in English Translation |
Year |
| Carriers Of Fire |
2002 |
| Kathamanabi, her voice and Other Poems |
2005 |
| Novels |
Year |
| Seetayan |
1995 |
| Sleelatahanir Pare |
1996 |
| Kabir Bouthan |
2011 |
| Books on Sociology of Gender |
Year |
| Strilinga Nirmana |
1994 |
| Purush Noi Purushtantra |
2002 |
| Bibahabichchhinnar Akhyan, Banglar Samaj O Sahitye |
2007 |
Her Bengali Poetry Anthology includes `
Dui Banglar Meyeder Shreshtha Kabita", "
Upasana` which was published in the year 2003. `
Akaler Madhye Saras` is her translated work from Kedarnath Singh`s
Hindi poems which was entitled `
Sahitya Akademi` and was published during 1998.
Personal Life of Mallika Sengupta
Since October 2005, Mallika Sengupta had been undergoing medical treatment since she was suffering from breast
cancer. However, she died on 28th May, 2011 and is survived by her son and husband.
Awards Received by Mallika Sengupta
She received awards such as: Junior Fellowship for Literature from the Department of Culture (1997-99), Sukanto Puroskar from the Government of West Bengal (1998), Bangla Academy award from the Government of West Bengal (2004). She has been invited to several literary events as an integral part of the Indian writer`s delegation to seminars and conferences held in Bangladesh (1998 and 2002), Australia (1994), Czech Republic (2009) and United States of America (2002 and 2006).
