E. J. Kanam (1926-87)

Malayalam writer born in Kottayam, Kerala. Schoolteacher; later journalist; known mainly for introducing sentimental middle-class pulp fiction known as paingili into Malayalam, which became a staple source for the work of e.g. Kunchako, P. Subramanyam?, M. Krishnan Nair and P.A. Thomas. Film début at Kunchako’s Udaya Studios with the story for Bharya (1962). Other notable films include Kunchako’s Thirichadi (1968) and Dattuputhran (1970); P. Subramanyam’s Kaliyodam (1965), Puthri, Kattumallika and Priyatama (all 1966), Adhyapika (1968) and Swargaputhri (1973). Worked for P.G. Vishwambaran in the early 80s: Himavahini (1983), Sandhyakenthinu Sindhuram and Thirakkil Alpa Samayam (both 1984).

Writer