Prof. N. Krishna Pillai


Born on 22nd September, 1916 in Muthana in Chirayinkil Taluk in Thiruvananthapuram District.

Mother : Chekalavilakkathuveethil Parvathyamma.

Father : Attingal Kakkattumadathil Kesavaru Kesavan.

Studied in Chemmaruthi, Navayikulam, Sivagiri, Attingal, Thiruvananthapuram (1921-'38). Passed B.A (Honours) from Govt. Arts College, Thiruvananthapuram in 1938. Research in 'Aryamsam in Kerala Culture'.

High School teacher in Sivagiri (1938-'40); Lecturer in Hindu College, Tirunelveli; Lecturer in Thiruvananthapuram University College (1944-'57); Professor in Govt. Brannan College, Thalasseri. (1957 - '58); Principal in Intermediate College (1958 - '63); Malayalam Professor in University College (1963-'72); Emirites Professor with University Grant Commission Award in University College (1972-'77); Visiting Professor Kerala University (1978-'79); Professor in Sree Vidyadhiraja Institute of Post Graduate Studies (1981-'85).

President, Sahitya Pravarthaka Sahakarana Sangham (1971- '74). Award for the Best Drama in 1956 from Kerala Sahitya Akademi (Azhimukhathekku); Odakuzhal Award for the best Malayalam Book of 1971 (Thiranjedutha Prabhandhangal); Best Dramatist Award given from Kerala Sangeetha Nataka Akademy in 1973; Fellowship of Kerala Sahitya Akademi in 1978; Best Dramatist Award given from Central Sangeetha Nataka Akademy in 1978; Sahitya Pravarthaka Award for the best collection of essays in 1970, 71 & 72 (Thiranjedutha Prabhandhangal); Sahitya Pravarthaka Award for the Best Drama in 1972, 73 & 74 (Kudathille Vilakku); Kerala Sahitya Akademi Silver Jubilee Award for the best Literary Work (Kairaliyude Katha); Father Abraham Vadakkel Award, Kerala Sahitya Akademi Award, Sahitya Akademi Award, Vayalar Rama Varma Award, C.V. Sahitya Puraskaran, 1987 (Prathipathram Bhasanabhedam).

Wife : Azhakkattu Saraswathikunjamma.

Daughters : Sahiti, Kala, Madhuri, Nandini. Son: Hari.

'Nandanam', Eswaravilasam Road, Jagathy, Thiruvananthapuram - 695 014.

Died at 8.20 pm on 10 July 1988 at Sree Chitra Medical Centre, Thiruvananthapuram.

Prof. N. Krishna Pillai Foundation is a society registered under the Travancore-Cochin Literary, Scientific and Charitable Societies Registration Act, instituted to perpetuate the memory of Late Prof. N. Krishna Pillai, the great doyen of Malayalam Literature.