Kanam E. J

Kanam E. J Biography

Elavunkal Joseph Philip, better known by his pen name, Kanam E. J was a popular writer associated with Malayalam literature. He wrote short stories and novels in Malayalam, and also wrote lyrics for movies. A contemporary of Muttathu Varkey, both the writers were known for writing short stories relating to common man’s life. A journalist also by profession, Kanam started the well-known Malayalam weekly Manorajyam and served as its editor. Bharya is one of his acclaimed work was a writer, and it was inspired from the true events of the controversial Thiruvalla Ammalu murder case. The novel was later made to a film with the same title, with Sathyam playing the male lead. He published over 100 novels, and serialized many of his novels in Malayala Manorama Weekly.

He was born as Elavunkal Joseph Philip on 13 June 1926 in Kanam village, Kottayam district, Kerala. Elavunkal Joseph was his father’s name. After schooling he joined military service. After a few years he returned to Kanam where he worked as a school teacher. He served as Malayalam Pandit of many CMS schools later. Later he quit teaching profession and started his career as a journalist with Malayala Manorama newspaper. He started his own Malayalam Weekly Manorajyam in 1967, which he sold later.

As a writer, he wrote many novels and short stories. Total count of his published novels is around 100. He wrote on social themes most, and remained as a very popular writer of 1960s and 1970s. His published works include – Kaattumaram, Pampanathi, Panjozhukunnu, Ee Arayekkar Nintethanu, Adhyapika, Nee Bhoomiyude Uppakunnu, Bharthavu and Bharya. He died on his birthday in 1987. He was aged 61.

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Updated: June 28, 2018