Malayala Manorama Chief Editor K M Mathew passes away

M.today

Kottayam, August 1:  K M Mathew, Chief Editor of Malayala Manorama daily and a doyen of Indian media industry, passed away at his residence here this morning. He was 93.


Mathew was a former Chairman of Press Trust of India. He is survived by three sons, Mammen Mathew, Philip Mathew and Jacob Mathew and daughter Thankam.

His wife Annamma Mathew had predeceased him. His funeral will take place at the Puthenpally Church cemetery here tomorrow.


Born on January two, 1917, Mathew joined the organisation as Managing Editor in 1954 and became chief editor in 1973. Mathew had played a key role in making Malayala Manorama one of the major Indian language dailies after he took over the reins of the media house a few decades ago.

Chief Minister V S Achuthanandan, leaders of political parties and people from different walks of life expressed profound grief at the passing away of Mathew.


It was during Mathew’s time that Manorama started a number of other publications in Malayalam and other Indian languages and English, including ’The Week’. A far-sighted leader, he was instrumental in the group launching its television channel Manorama News, FM channel Radio Mango and online news and digital publications.

While being the leader of the media group and crucial decision-maker, Mathew always chose to keep himself largely away from limelight but was a man of personal charm and warmth for those who knew and interacted with him closely. Among the journalists and staff in the newspaper, he was known as "Mathukuttichayan" on account of his personal touch. Though he held his ideological and political convictions firm, on account of which he often faced criticism from the Left in Kerala, he was keen to maintain high principles of journalism like fair play and accommodation of opposing views.

It was during his editorship that the newspaper started giving due focus on real-life stories rather than confining to news of day-to-day politics and goings on in the higher echelons of power.

Mathew also took care in moulding a new generation of professionals to take the group forward. His sons Mammen Mathew (Editor), Philip Mathew (Managing Editor) and Jacob Mathew (Executive Editor) came up under his tutelage. His autobiography, "Ettamathe Mothiram" (eigth ring -- referring to him being the eighth child), published a few years ago, was highly appreciated for its literary value and as a chronicle of life in 20th century since its earlier decades in the Central Travancore region.

He being a gifted writer himself, Manorama and its publications under his editorship always extended unstinted support to Malayalam language and literature, especially prose. His moving memoir of his pre-deceased wife Annamaa Mathew is also considered a masterpiece. Annamma, popularly known as "Mrs K M Mathew", was a great emotional support to Mathew besides being a writer herself who brought out a large number of cookery books. As editor of Manorama’s women’s magazine Vanitha, she was instrumental in popularising the delicious Travancore cuisine to the outside world.