K. E. Mathai was born on 14 November 1924 at Kunnam, a small village near Mavelikkara in Alappuzha district of the south Indian state of Kerala to Kizhakkepainummoottil Kunjunaina Easo and Sosamma. His early schooling was at the localprimary school in Kunnam and later, he joined ChettikulangaraHigh School but he could not complete his education as his father died in 1939, leaving Mathai to take over the responsibility of the family. Subsequently, he joined the Indian Army in 1944 as a havildar in Pioneer Corps. He served the army for 21 years before superannuating from service in 1965. On his return to Kerala, he founded Saritha Press, in Mavelikkara. Mathai was married to Ammini, the marriage taking place in 1952. he died on 30 December 1981, at the age of 57.
Legacy
Parappurath, who earned the moniker, story teller of Onattukara after his birth place, wrote 20 novels and 14 short story anthologies; his 21st novel, Kaanaapponnu was incomplete at the time of his death and was later completed by K. Surendran. Multiple award-winning novel, Ara Nazhika Neram, was later adapted for a movie under the same name. Six of his other novels viz. Omana, Panitheeraatha Veedu, Ninamaninja Kaalppaadukal, Aadyakiranangal, Makane Ninakku Vendi and Anweshichu Kandethiyilla were also made into movies. He also wrote a play, Velicham Kuranja Vazhikal and a memoirs, Marikkatha Ormmakal. Parappurath was involved with literary organizations such as Sahithya Pravarthaka Co-operative Society, where he sat in the director board from 1974 to 1977, and again from 1980; in 1981, he was elected as its president, a position he was holding at the time of his death. His film career covered 15 screenplays of which 14 were based on his own story. Altogether, he wrote dialogues for 19 films and acted a small part in Aranazhika Neram.
Awards and honours
Parappurath received the Sahithya Pravarthaka Sahakarana Sangham Award for his work, Naalalu Naaluvazhi in 1965. When Kerala Sahitya Akademi instituted an annual award for the best short story in 1966, his Naalalu Naaluvazhi was again selected for the inaugural award. Two years later, Akademi honoured him again with the Kerala Sahitya Akademi Award for Novel in 1968, Ara Nazhika Neram earning him the award. He received the Kerala State Film Award for Best Story twice, in 1970 for Aranazhika Neram and in 1972, for Panitheeratha Veedu. He was also a recipient of the M. P. Paul Literary Prize.
