Doyen of Kerala Media - K.M. Mathew

  

K M Mathew, Chief Editor of Malayala Manorama daily and a pioneer of Indian media industry, passed away at his residence this morning(01 08 2010). He was 93

To express my profound sorrow.I join Kerala People in mourning this giant of indian journalism, through this  Blog

One can count on one's fingers the number of times the word 'I' is used in Ettamathe Mothiram (The Eighth Ring), K.M. Mathew's autobiography. In it, the veteran newspaper giant Sree K M Mthew, is more of a cinematographer diligently filming a flick than the central character. The book is written in Malayalam. In the book he, smoothly travels down memory lane that starts from his childhood in Kuppupuram in Kerala and passing through Kottayam, Thiruvananthapuram, Madras, Delhi, London, Istanbul and Berlin. The canvas is broad and Mathew, using memory as his brush, has painted a picture that is both informative and poignant.

Born on January 2^nd, 1917, Sree.Mathew joined the organization as Managing Editor in 1954 and became chief editor in 1973. Mathew took over the Malayala Manorama group, when it had just one publication. With the growth of the group, Mathew realized his childhood dream. His is a life fully lived; it shows in the pages of his Book that brim with optimism and zest. The book is dedicated to Mathew's mother, Kunjandamma (Mammi), whose ornaments were made into rings and given to her nine children. Mathew, being her eighth child, got the eighth ring, which also turned out to be the title of the book on his life.An active person throughout his life, Sree.Mathew was keenly taking part in the running of the acclaimed newspaper, about a couple of week ago, too.

'Sree.Mathew was one of the pioneers of the print media industry and a great human being,' said many and quoted endless lines on his goodwill and strength of character. Yet people of Kerala, remembered Mathew as a man known for his simplicity and humility. His service to the society will always be, remembered forever by many. Noted author M.T. Vasudevan Nair said: 'The way in which Mathew carried himself in a humble manner, will always be remembered despite being the giant among the media industry .'

Mathew launched many publications such as the women’s magazine Vanitha in Malayalam and English, the English magazine The Week, the farmer’s magazine Karshakasree, children’s magazines Balarama Amar Chitra Katha and Kalikudukka in Malayalam and Magic Pot in English and Encyclopedic Manorama Year Book in Malayalam, English, Hindi Tamil and Bengali.

In 1988 he received the Padma Bhushan. His other much-acclaimed awards including Foundation of Freedom of Information Award (1991), National Citizen’s award (1992), Ramakrishna Jay Dayal award (1995), Durga Prasad Chaudhary award (1996), B. D. Goenka Award (1996).

PS: Some of the words are quotes taken from media.