E. V. Krishna Pillai
Malayalam Writer / Theatre Personality

Born on 14 September 1894 at Kunnathur Taluk. Father: Pappu Pillai Mother: Karthyani Amma. E.V.Krishna Pillai is an eminent satirist and an expert in the field of comedy. He was amultitalented personality as an advocate, member of legislative assembly, editor and writer. He started career as a government servant. He was the editor of Malayali and Malayala Manorama. He was member of Sree Moolam Assembly of Travancore.

E.V. Krishna Pillai was a renowned writer of Malayalam literature. Among his works are comedies, dramas, short stories and an autobiography. He was also a columnist and a caricaturist. His works like Chiriyum Chintayum and Jeevithasmaranakal are considered as masterpieces. He is the son-in-law of the legendary Malayalam novelist C. V. Raman Pillai and the father of the popular Malayalam film comedian Adoor Bhasi. His eldest son, popularly known as Chandraji, was associated with the Hindi film industry as well as Malayalam. Another son of his, K. Padmanabhan Nair, popularly known as Padman is a well known journalist in Malayalam. He penned the caption for the popular pocket cartoon – ‘Kunjukuruppu’ for 35 years. He also did a popular column in Malayala Manorama Weekly known as ‘Prahladan Samsarikkunnu’.

E. V. Krishna Pillai was a humorist, satirist, and outstanding mythological and historical dramatist in Malayalam theatre. His main contribution to Malayalam theatre includes such serious full-length plays as Raja Kesava Dasan in 1928, Sitalakshmt in 1932, Rama-rajabhishekam in `Rama`s Royal Consecration` in 1932, and Iravikkntti Pillai in 1933. Important works: Seetha lekshmy, Iravikuttypilla, B.A.Mayavi, Maya Manushyan, Jeevitha Smaranakal, Chiriyum, chinthayum. His reminiscences, Chiriyum chintayum or `Laughter and Thought` in 1935 considered a masterpiece of the light essay, are full of social criticism bordering on sarcasm. E. V. Krishna Pillai died on 30 March 1938.