Journalism

In a tribute paid to Chowallur Krishnankutty, veteran media person Thomas Jacob remembers how his colleague of decades mimicked the style of prominent writers of Malayalam for a feature in Malayala Manorama in 1984. This literary mimicry was one of its kind and simply wowed readers, proving once again Chowallur’s mastery over letters.

In his journalistic career that spanned nearly 40 years, Chowallur has created many a model for writing on arts, culture, tradition and literature. His articles on folk arts and artists, festivals, rituals, elephants, ancient traditions and rural lives have become reference material as well as examples of simple, factual writing. What he painted in vivid colours through those newspaper columns is a picture of Kerala’s rich culture.

Chowallur entered the field of journalism during his college days, assisting writer-politician Prof. Joseph Mundassery whose newspaper Navajeevan was an icon of fearless and free journalism. His main job was to write down the reports and articles that Mundassery master dictated, covering a variety of topics and issues. Later, Chowallur would give credit to this exercise for sharpening his writing skills and moulding him into a fine journalist. The lessons he learned from one of the most creative minds in Kerala introduced Chowallur into a league of extraordinary writers.

As the editor of the first evening daily from Guruvayur, “Swathanthra Mandapam”, Chowallur set several trends and examples for his successors to follow. Many in and around Guruvayur and Thrissur still remember as to how the paper carried even the latest news and brought it to the readers as hot as their evening cup of tea.

In 1966, Chowallur joined Malayala Manorama newspaper when its edition was launched in Kozhikode, a job that he left only in 2004 when he retired. He joined Manorama’s Editorial Board as a Sub-Editor and therafter held several roles such as its News Desk Chief, Opinion/Leader page Editor and Assistant Editor.

He redefined the journalistic concept of art, culture and heritage, and went on to cover a wide range of topics related to Kerala’’s own folk arts and artists.

He covered art performances and cultural events with the same enthusiasm and excitement as pursuing exclusive news. At Manorama, he interviewed artists of global repute as well as political leaders, celebrities and dignitaries. His report on the first Naxal attack in Kerala, and his interview with Indira Gandhi in Karanatka are among his noted achievements. His Leader page and other articles on upcoming and established artists in Kathakali, OttamThullal, Chakyar Koothu, Chenda / Vadyakala etc enhanced the popularity of these art forms amongst readers while giving those artists much needed recognition in Kerala’s cultural mileu. His coverage of the Kadavallur Athirathram was much talked about at the time. His reporting assignments also included Film Festivals / Awards within Kerala and outside and on occasion, sporting events all of which he delivered in his signature style.

His passion that radiated through his write-ups on art and culture was equally brilliant in his humorous articles, especially those which appeared in his weekly column, Marimayam. This is how Chowallur preferred to record his versatility.

The Malayala Manorama family, which includes the owners and management, editorial colleagues, staff and friends in various divisions and locations, their goodwill as well as the family oriented environment provided Chowallur the ideal platform to grow and establish his journalistic career.

Another facet of Chowallur’s journalistic sojourn was that he used to conduct Journalism classes on a weekly basis at Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan. Aspiring students of Journalism used to throng to his classes that were laced with varied topics presented with an element of satire embedded with deep insights into the profession.

Chowallur’s association with journalism continued after he retired from Manorama as he was involved in the publication of several magazines and journals. in ‘Saphalyam’ he wrote the column, Mozhi – Marumozhi’ with the by-line of ‘Acharyan’, pointing out the mistakes in public speeches in a humorous manner. ‘Nostalgia’ was another magazine that had Chowallur as a member of the editorial board. He served on the editorial board of ‘Bhakthapriya,’ a Guruvayur Devaswom publication from its inception.

He never retired from the world of news and writing, and his love for letters ignited whatever he wrote even in his later years. The joy of his writing lies in its tone of easiness, simplicity, and the touch of empathy that made him one of the finest journalists in the state.

Chowallur’s Articles