K. T. Muhammed Biography 
K. T. Muhammed, popularly called K. T was a celebrated playwright and screenwriter of Malayalam. Among his 40 stage plays, Idhu Bhumiyanu is considered to be his masterpiece. He has also scripted 20 Malayalam movies which include Achanum Bappayum, Kandam Becha Kottu, Kumarasambavam, Thurakkatha Vathil, Moodupadam, and Kadalpalam. He has received Kerala state awards for best screenwriter twice. Mythological film on the life of Subrahmanya, Kumarasambavam in 1969 and critically acclaimed Achanum Bappayum in 1972 are those movies. He is a recipient of Sangeet Natak Akademi Award for the year 1986. He was also an active member of Brothers Music Club of Kozhikode. Noted television and film actress, Zeenath was his ex-wife.
He was born in Manjeri in Malappuram district in 1927 to a policeman as his eldest son. After schooling Muhammed joined as a clerk in the postal department. In 1952, his short story Kannukal earned him first prize in an All India Level competition. This story was translated to several foreign languages. His life drifted from a postal employee, a short story writer and an intense lover before changing into a serious dramatist. Through his plays he fought the orthodoxy which denied education to women. `Sristhi', `Sthiti', ‘Samharam' and `Kafir' are his noted plays on social issues like caste systems.
His plays were staged by Sangamam Theatres during early days. Later he set up Kalinga with his brother K T Sayed, who formed a key member of the troupe. He was the lead actor of most of his plays and served as the manager of the troupe too. In 1971, he was nominated as the Chairman of Kerala Sangeetha Nadaka Academy.
Published: N/A
Updated: June 02, 2014
