Kamala Surayya books in order
Indian author and poet
- Lived
- 1934–2009
- Country
- India
- Books
- 13
- Also writes as
- Madhavi Kutty
Kamala Surayya published 1 novella, 1 short story collection, 3 non-fiction books, 3 poetry collections and 5 other books, beginning with A Doll for the Child Prostitute (1977).
Updated September 2026
Where to start with Kamala Surayya
Start here
A Doll for the Child Prostitute
Kamala Surayya's most-read book.
Novellas in order
Alphabet of Lust (1977)
Short story collections in order
Padmavati the Harlot and Other Stories (1992)
Non-fiction in order
My Story (1977)
Kamala Das (1984)
A Childhood in Malabar (1987)
Poetry in order
The Old Playhouse and Other Poems (1973)
The Best of Kamala Das (1984)
My Lord, My God (2009)
Other books in order
Summer in Calcutta (1965)
The Descendants (1967)
A Doll for the Child Prostitute (1977)
Tonight, This Savage Rite (1979)
Sandal Trees (1995)
About Kamala Surayya
Kamala Surayya , also known by her one-time pen name Madhavikutty and married name Kamala Das, was an Indian poet in English as well as an author in Malayalam from Kerala, India. Her fame in Kerala primarily stems from her short stories and autobiography, My Story, whereas her body of work in English, penned under the pseudonym Kamala Das, is renowned for its poems and candid autobiography. Her works are known for originality, versatility and indigenous flavour of the soil. She was also a widely read columnist and wrote on diverse topics including women's issues, child care, politics, etc. Her liberal treatment of female sexuality, marked her as an iconoclast in popular culture of her generation. On 31 May 2009, aged 75, she died at Jehangir Hospital in Pune.
Biography from Wikipedia, CC BY-SA 4.0.
Kamala Surayya FAQ
- How many books has Kamala Surayya written?
- Kamala Surayya published 1 novella, 1 short story collection, 3 non-fiction books, 3 poetry collections and 5 other books that we list, as of September 2026.
- What order should I read Kamala Surayya's books in?
- Publication order is a safe choice; the full list is above. Most readers start with A Doll for the Child Prostitute.
- What is Kamala Surayya's last book?
- Padmavati the Harlot and Other Stories (1992).
- What is Kamala Surayya's most famous book?
- A Doll for the Child Prostitute (1977) is Kamala Surayya's most widely read book.
- Does Kamala Surayya write under a pen name?
- Yes: Kamala Surayya has also published as Madhavi Kutty.
Sources: book lists and dates from Wikidata and Open Library, ratings from Open Library readers. Last updated September 2026.