KOTTAYAM PUSHPANATH
Early Life
Kottayam Pushpanath was a renowned Indian author who was born on May 14, 1937, in Kottayam district, located in the southern Indian state of Kerala. His birth name was Pushpanathan Pillai (Zacharia), and he was the son of Sathyanesan Pillai and Rachel. Pushpanath completed his primary and secondary education at Good Shepherd School and MT Seminary School in Kottayam. He then pursued a Bachelor’s degree in History from the University of Kerala. After completing his education, Pushpanath obtained a TTC (Teacher Training Certificate) from Cambridge Nicholson Institute (CNI) in Kottayam. He started his career as a teacher at Kodiyathoor School in Kozhikode and later served as a history teacher in various government schools in Kallarkutty, Devikulam, Karapuzha, Nattakom, and Kottayam Medical college school.
Literary Career
As a student at the MT Seminary school, Pushpanath wrote a short story “Thiramala” (Waves) for the school magazine, announcing his entry into the world of writing. He released his first novel named Chuvanna Manushyan in 1968 which was the first scientific thriller in Malayalam. Later on, he penned down more than 300 works including science fiction, horror fiction, fantasy, non-fiction and many short stories during the period of 1970s and 80s. Many of his works has been translated into different Indian languages such as Tamil, Kannada, Telugu, Hindi, Gujarati and Bengali. His novel “Souparnika” was serialized in Tamil. Kottayam Pushpanath has also translated Bram Stoker’s world renowned Gothic horror novel “Dracula” and Arthur Conan Doyle’s “The Hound of the Baskervilles” into Malayalam. Two of his novels – “Brahmarakshass and Chuvanna Anki”– were made into movies in Malayalam, Telugu and Hindi.
Pushpanath followed the tradition of Sherlock Holmes and Hercules Poirot in creating two fictional detectives, Detective Marxin and Pushparaj, the two names which became as popular as the name of the author itself. Detective Pushparaj would be the protagonist if the novels are set in India and Detective Marxin would take the lead role in novels set outside India. Some novels featured another fictional character, Detective Sudheer, as the lead.
Kottayam Pushpanath established his own publications in 1977, the Kottayam Pushpanath Publications, through which most of his works came out. All his books are being re-published by Rayan Pushpanath, his grandson through Kottayam Pushpanath Publications now. Many of Pushpanath’s books are published on mainstream digital platforms as e-books and audio books.
Kottayam Pushpanath Foundation
The Kottayam Pushpanath Foundation is a charitable organization established by the family of Kottayam Pushpanath after the author’s death. The foundation is primarily funded by the family’s assets and is run by both family members and other foundation members. The primary objective of the foundation is to carry out various charitable activities for the betterment of society, including the provision of healthcare, education, and other basic needs for the underprivileged.
The foundation also seeks to promote and preserve the legacy of Kottayam Pushpanath by supporting and promoting the arts and literature in the Malayalam language. The foundation provides financial support to upcoming writers and artists, hosts literary events and workshops, and provides scholarships to students pursuing higher education in the field of arts and literature. The Kottayam Pushpanath Foundation has received recognition and accolades for its contributions to society and its efforts to promote the legacy of Kottayam Pushpanath.
Mariyamma Pushpanath
Mariyamma Pushpanath was the wife of Kottayam Pushpanath. She was a constant support to her husband throughout his career as a writer, and the couple shared a deep bond of love and affection.
Mariyamma was born and brought up in Kottayam, Kerala. She married Kottayam Pushpanath at a young age, and the couple had three children together. Mariyamma played an essential role in managing the household while Kottayam Pushpanath focused on his writing career. She was known for her unwavering support and encouragement to her husband, and her contribution to his success cannot be overstated.
After Kottayam Pushpanath’s death, Mariyamma continued to support and promote his legacy. She was actively involved in the establishment and management of the Kottayam Pushpanath Foundation
Mariyamma was widely respected and admired by those who knew her for her kindness, humility, and her unwavering commitment to her family and community. Her legacy, along with her husband’s, continues to inspire and influence generations of writers and artists in Kerala and beyond.