Several Indian poets have been inspired by the works and life of American poet Sylvia Plath:
Kamala Das
Kamala Das is often compared to Sylvia Plath as both were confessional poets who explored themes of female identity, relationships, and societal expectations in their poetry[2][4]. Das’ poem “An Introduction” criticizes how men categorize and limit women’s roles in society[4].
Mamta Kalia
Like Plath, Mamta Kalia describes family matters and references to her childhood in her poetry, demonstrating the angst and incongruities she experiences in a male-dominated world[4].
Eunice de Souza
Eunice de Souza is another contemporary Indian poet whose poetry, along with Das and Kalia, presents pictures of the anguish experienced by female speakers confronting a male-centric society[4][5].
Agha Shahid Ali and Dilip Chitre
These poets of the 1980s were more interested in depicting and evaluating their family background, personal and social landscapes in their poetry, similar to Plath’s introspective style[5].
So while Plath’s confessional style and themes of female identity have resonated with many Indian women poets, they have adapted these elements to portray the specific challenges and experiences of women in Indian society. Plath’s influence has helped shape the development of modern Indian poetry in English.
