Khaleej Times 12/12/1999

Renowned bilingual writer and poetess Madhavikutty, popularly known as Kamala Das in the English literary world, yesterday embraced Islam and adopted the Muslim name Surayya.

The surprise announcement was made by the Cochin-based writer at a seminar organised by the Kerala State Library Council in Cochin.

Daughter of the late V.M. Nair, former managing editor of widely-circulated Malayalam daily Mathrubhumi and renowned poetess Nalappat Balamani Amma, a celebrated Malayalam writer, Madhavikutty, 67, told a news agency that she had decided to embrace Islam on her own volition. The desire to convert to Islam had blossomed 27 years ago when she had adopted two Muslim boys in Mumbai, she said. Mother of three sons, including well-known journalist M.D. Nalappad, former editor of Mathrubhumi and former resident editor of The Times of India in Bangalore, Madhavikutty said she felt that Islam would bring the much needed solace to her life.

Madhavikutty has won many literary awards, including the Vayalar Award in 1997 and the Asan Prize in 1985. Several of her works in English have been included in the curriculum of many foreign universities. My Story is considered as one of her masterpieces.

Madhavikutty said that she had a special liking for Islam for the past three decades and had a lot of affection for Muslim brethren. She said that she had looked after several Muslim children while she lived in Mumbai 27 years ago. She lives in Cochin. After shifting to Kerala, she had been associated with several human rights activities and has been contributing articles to Malayalam dailies.