Mamata

Mamata may refer to multiple things in Indian culture, most notably as a female given name in Bengali and other Indian languages. In Bengali, mamata means affectionate love or tenderness, often described as maternal care. The term is used both in everyday speech and in literary contexts, and it is a common given name for women in the region.

The most prominent person associated with the name is Mamata Banerjee (born 1955), an Indian politician who founded the All India Trinamool Congress (TMC) in 1998. She has served as Chief Minister of West Bengal since 2011 and has played a significant role in national politics as a leading figure in her party and in opposition to the long-running Left Front government in the state. Banerjee has also held ministerial roles in the central government during the 1990s and early 2000s as part of the United Progressive Alliance coalition.

Beyond the public figure, Mamata remains a widely used given name in Bengal and parts of India, reflecting cultural associations with warmth and care. The term appears in literature, media, and personal naming, illustrating its enduring presence in regional language and culture.