New Delhi  - Renowned Indian poet and writer Kamala Das, who triggered controversy both in her writing and her lifestyle, died Sunday in the southern city of Pune, her family said. She was 75.

Das, who wrote in English and Malayalam, the language of southern Kerala state.

The winner of several national and international literary awards, Das wrote frankly and explicitly about sexuality, often outraging orthodox readers. Her writings most often focused on love and betrayal.

The poet, born to an orthodox Hindu family of royal lineage in Kerala, made headlines when she converted to Islam in 1999 at the age of 65 and changed her name to Kamala Suraiya.

Das briefly dabbled in politics and contested a parliamentary election in 1984, which she lost.

She was also a painter and some of her art fetched high prices.

Her books in English include Summer in Calcutta, The Descendants, The Old Playhouse, Alphabet of Lust and My Story, an autobiography which was her first literary success at the age of 42.

Kerala Chief Minister VS Achutanandan described Das's death as an irreparable loss to the the state and the country.

The government is organizing a state funeral for Das on Tuesday. She is survived by three sons. (dpa)