Malayalam media doyen K M Mathew dead

K M Mathew, doyen of Malayalam journalism and chief editor of Malayala Manorama daily, K M Mathew, passed away at his house in Kottayam district on Sunday morning. He was 93.

He was the past president of the Indian Newspaper Society and chairman of PTI.

Affectionately known as 'Mathukuttichayan' to colleagues, Mathew, who was suffering from age-related ailments, was active till a few months back.

He is survived by his sons Mammen Mathew (current editor of the daily), Philip Mathew (managing editor), Jacob Mathew (executive editor) and daughter Thankam Mammen. The funeral will take place at the Puthenpally church cemetery on Monday.

Born as the eighth son of K M Mammen Mappillai and Kunjaadamma on 2 January 1917, Mathew started his career as a planter in Chikamagalur and later migrated to the then Bombay state as a businessman looking after family business.

He entered journalism in 1954, when he joined the family-owned Malayala Manorama as its general manager and managing editor after its re-launch under his elder brother K M Cheriyan. He took over as its chief editor on the death of Cheriyan in 1973.