KOTTAYAM: K M Mathew played a key role in transforming Malayala Manorama into one of the major Indian language dailies after he took over the reins of the media house a few decades ago.
He rode like a colossus in the media world and his views on politics and social developments were keenly followed by policy-makers, including those at the Centre and across the political spectrum and society over the years. Mathew launched many publications such as the women’s magazine ‘Vanitha’ in Malayalam and Hindi, 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 encyclopaedic Manorama Year Book in Malayalam, English, Hindi Tamil and Bengali. Mathew also revived the elite literary magazine Bhashaposhini.
Manorama Weekly became the largest selling in the country under his leadership. As the scion of the flagship daily, he saw Malayala Manorama becoming a multi-edition newspaper. In addition, the group is bringing out as many as 46 publications now and has a notable presence in the electronic and online media.
In 1998, the nation honoured K M Mathew with Padma Bhushan. He had received many other awards, including Foundation of Freedom of Information Award (1991), National Citizen’s Award (1992), Ramakrishna Jay Dayal Award (1995), Durga Prasad Chaudhary Award (1996) and the B D Goenka Award (1996).
He had served as chairman of the Press Trust of India, president of Indian Newspaper Society, chairman of Audit Bureau of Circulations, Vice-president of Indian Language Newspaper Association, founder-trustee and chairman of Press Institute of India as well as the Research Institute for Newspaper Development. He was a member of the Press Council of India, wage boards for working journalists and non-journalists and Central Press Advisory Committee. He was on the executive committee of the Federation of International Newspaper Publishers and Editors, France.
His wife Annamma (1922-2003) was a culinary expert and Chief Editor of Vanitha, who had penned her talent as Mrs K M Mathew. His book of memoirs, Annamma, was published by Penguin in Malayalam (2004) and in English (2005). The memoirs was highly appreciated for its literary and historical value, while remaining as a moving tribute to his wife Annamma.
His autobiography titled ‘Ettamathe Mothiram,’ which opened windows wide to the social and political evolution of the state, was published in 2008. It also gave much insight into the moulding of Mathew, ridden with travails and upheavals which swept his family and youth life under the Diwan rule, and the resultant determination and grit gained through such experience.
The visionary in K M Mathew had earned all-round respect. Even when the Left political bloc preferred to criticise him in the open, they used to take his advice on many matters on the sly.