Malayalam is her mother tongue, but she also knows English. She writes in both languages. Kamala Das was born on August 12, 1954 in Aluva, Kerala State, India. She is an Indian writer who has written more than 30 books since 1980. Her works include novels, essays, and children's books. She has won several awards including the National Film Award for Best Writing Dealing with Social Issues (1999). After graduating from college in 1976 with a degree in Malayalam literature, Kamala Das began writing fiction. One of her first successes was Njangalayaathile Natkhatakal (The Sound of Thunder), which was published when she was only 23 years old. This novel was followed by another three best-sellers in less than a year. Since then, she has gone on to publish more than thirty books, many of which have been translated into English, French, German, Spanish, and Japanese. Kamala Das has been praised for her realistic portrayal of life in Kerala, one of the most literate states in India.