Mallika Sengupta

• Name — Mallika Sengupta • Born — 27 March 1960 • Birthplace — Krishnanagar, Nadia, India • Died — 28 May 2011 • Place of death — Kolkata, India • Education — Maharani Kasiswari College • Known for — Poet • Spouse — Subodh Sarkar

Mallika Sengupta was the head of the Department of Sociology in Maharani Kasiswari College, an undergraduate college affiliated with the University of Calcutta in Kolkata. She was much better known for her literary activity. The author of more than 20 books including 14 volumes of poetry and two novels, she was widely translated and was a frequent invitee at international literary festivals. For twelve years in the 90s she was the poetry editor of Sananda, the largest circulated Bengali fortnightly (edited by Aparna Sen). Along with her husband, the noted poet Subodh Sarkar, she was the founder-editor of Bhashanagar, a culture magazine in Bengali. English translations of her work have appeared in various Indian and American anthologies. In addition to teaching, editing and writing, she was actively involved with the cause of gender justice and other social issues. She had begun breast cancer treatment in 2005 and died on the 28th of May 2011.

Sengupta was also active in a number of protest and gender activism groups. Her fiery, combative tone is noticeable in many poems, e.g. "While teaching my son history": • 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.: • – from Mallika Sengupta, Kathamanabi, Bhashanagar, kolkata, 2005, (tr. poet) often dealing with women's marginalised role in history: • after the battle said chenghis khan • the greatest pleasure of life, • is in front of the vanquished enemy • to sleep with his favourite wife.: • – Juddha Sheshe Nari – from Mallika Sengupta, Kathamanabi, Bhashanagar, kolkata, 2005, (tr. amitabha mukerjee) Particularly evocative is her feminist rendition of the legend of Khana, a medieval female poet whose tongue was allegedly cut off by her jealous husband: • In Bengal in the Middle Ages • Lived a woman Khana, I sing her life • The first Bengali woman poet • Her tongue they severed with a knife • Her speechless voice, "Khanar Bachan" • Still resonates in the hills and skies • Only the poet by the name of Khana • Bleeding she dies.: • – Khana, tr. amitabha mukerjee

• Challish Chander Ayu, Virus publication, 1983 • Ami Sindhur Meye, Prativas publication, Kolkata, 1988 • Haghare O Debdasi, Prativas publication, Kolkata, 1991 • Ardhek Prithivi, Ananda Publishers, Kolkata, 1993, • Meyeder Aa Aaa Ka Kha, Prativas publication, Kolkata, 1998 • Kathamanabi, Ananda Publishers, Kolkata, 1999, • Deoyalir Rat, Patralekha, Kolkata, 2001 • Amra Lasya Amra Ladai, Sristi Prakashani, Kolkata, 2001 Book Excerptise (2 translations) • Purushke Lekha Chithi, Ananda Publishers, Kolkata, 2003, Book Excerptise (1 poem online) • Chheleke History Parate Giye, Ananda Publishers, Kolkata, 2005 • Shrestha Kabita, Kolkata, Dey's Publication, 2005 • Aamake Sariye Dao Valobasa, Ananda Publishers, Kolkata, 2006, • Purusher Janyo Eksho Kabita, Deep Prakashan, Kolkata, 2007 • O Janemon Jibananada, Banolata Sen Likhchhi, Kolkata, Ananda Pub. 2008 • Brishtimichhil Barudmichhil, Kolkata, Ananda Pub. 2010

• Carriers of Fire, Bhashanagar, Kolkata, 2002 • Kathamanabi, her voice and Other Poems, Bhashanagar, kolkata, 2005

• Seetayan, Ananda Publishers, Kolkata, 1995, • Sleelatahanir Pare, Ananda Publishers, Kolkata, 1996, • Kabir Bouthan, Ananda Publishers, Kolkata, 2011,

• Akaler Madhye Saras, translation from Kedarnath Singh's Hindi poems, Sahitya Akademi, Kolkata, 1998

• Dui Banglar Meyeder Shreshtha kabita, Upasana, Kolkata, 2003

Mallika Sengupta is recorded with the occupation sociologist. Recorded as sociologist, poet and writer.