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Famous Indian Erotic Novelist embraces Islam
By Mohammed Ayub Ali Khan
Noted Malyalee and English novelist Madhavikutty (aka Kamala Das) has embraced Islam and changed her name to Surayya. The 68-year-old novelist famous for her liberal, feminist views and erotic works surprised everyone by her decision. Her controversial 1991 autobiography, "My Story," which details her relationship with men and her sexual life has been published in more than 15 languages and is also taught as a school text book in Japan and Canada.
She made her declaration on December 16 in her house in Kochi in the state of Kerala at the hands of 2 Muslim imams from Malabar.
When asked about her controversial past life she explained, "Yes, the controversial Madhavikutty is dead. This is the last time I am shocking you all." When asked if Islam will tolerate her, she said, "Religion cannot chain one's creativity. Islam is tolerant. Allah is the God of love and forgiveness. My mind tells me Allah has forgiven me my sins, if they were sins."
When asked what motivated her to revert to Islam, she said, "Two plain reasons. One is the purdah. Second is the security that Islam provides to women. In fact, both these reasons are complementary," she said. " Purdah is the most wonderful dress for women in the world. And I have always loved to wear the purdah. It gives women a sense of security. Only Islam gives protection to women. I have been lonely all through my life. At nights, I used to sleep by embracing a pillow. But I am no longer a loner. Islam is my company. Islam is the only religion in the world that gives love and protection to women. Therefore, I have converted."
"When I was in Mumbai, I had a lot of Muslim friends, particularly Nusrat Jehan Begum of Lucknow. One day, when I visited her house, I met a sick old lady, her fingers were skeletal, thin and long. She was lying on silk. But there was a strange fragrance pervading the room. I was fascinated by it. I wrote a story, 'Atharinte Manam.' In that story, and my poems after that on the omniscient God, it is Islam you will find. I even used to wear veils on my tours abroad."
Rumors in India abound that she has converted because she is in love with a young Muslim man who many say is a Muslim league youth leader or a Malyalee Muslim living in the United States. While admitting that she is in love with a Muslim and is hopeful that she will marry him in the future, she said, "But if you accept a religion only for the sake of one person, you are demeaning the religion."
Asked about the shock she has delivered to her friends and admirers she snapped, "I don't care. I always believe I am what I am," she said, adding, "Enough is enough in Hinduism." After her shocking announcement, she received both applause as well as death threats by various organizations. But she remains unfazed by the threats and declared that she fears no one except Allah.
Her notable English works include "Summer in Calcutta," "Alphabet of the Lust," "The Descendants," "Old Play House," and, "Only the Soul Knows How to Sing." She was awarded the Asian Poetry Prize for her anthology, "The Sirens," in 1964 and the Kent's Award for, "Summer in Calcutta," in 1965. In 1969 her short story, "Thanuppu," was chosen as the best by the Kerala Sahitya Akademy. Her book on childhood memories, "Neermathalam Pootha Kaalam," bagged the Vayalar Award in 1997.
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