Prominent Figures of the Kerala Church -122
Prof. Joseph Mattam
Some literary figures are known for their writing style, which either follows the principles of symbolism or aligns with the sweeping currents of literary movements. When they encounter awards, gatherings, and honors, they rush to embrace them. There are some writers who can adopt any persona and navigate any situation without hesitation. In this category of writers, Prof. Joseph Mattam stands out as a constant back-bencher, a writer whose name often goes unnoticed. His perspective on life is optimistic. Through his works, he illuminates the world with the light of hope, not despair.
Prof. Mattam has already penned over a hundred works—stories, novels, translations, and biographies. He has been writing for nearly half a century, constantly moving along the path of literary creation. He firmly believes that wandering off the beaten path is not a mark of achievement. His worldview of optimism is beautifully reflected in his famous novel “Appam Kondumathram.” The novel tells the extraordinary story of a man who, after believing that he had amassed all wealth, runs into the city’s chaos with suicidal thoughts. However, after a brief encounter with a hotel bellboy and a timely piece of advice, he turns back toward hope and a renewed life, eventually finding solace in the love of his wife. If this theme had been handled by other popular writers, we could have expected all sorts of gimmicks and dramatic exaggerations. But Prof. Mattam manages to save his central characters from becoming caricatures. The protagonist Joseph Kunj, who initially falls into despair, is an exceptional figure in Malayalam literature. However, one wonders how many readers have actually engaged with this novel. The critique may be that this book does not cater to the taste of many readers.
Prof. Mattam is also renowned for his notable work The Body of the Devil (Lokam Pishachu Shareeram), which has earned fame as a powerful and insightful novel. In this work, he performs a kind of literary surgery, dissecting the intricacies of society and revealing the complexities of human nature. However, after 35 years, some still continue to reflect upon the scars left by this literary operation.
Born on October 31, 1930, in the family of Abraham and Annama in the village of Cheppungkal, near Pala, Prof. Mattam attended schools in Kezhumkulam, Mutholi, and Kidangoor. He passed the SSLC exam in 1948 and continued his studies at St. Thomas College in Pala, where he graduated in 1954 with a BA in Economics. His success in Malayalam was noted with a state-first class distinction. He worked as a high school teacher in Manalungal and Kuttikkal and, after two years of teaching, joined the editorial board of Deepika newspaper. He continued in that role for 12 years. In 1967, he passed the MA in Malayalam from SB College, and in August of the same year, he became a lecturer at St. Thomas College, Pala. He retired in 1986. Throughout his career, Prof. Mattam wrote articles, stories, and novels for various publications. His first short story was published in Deepika, and later appeared in Satyadeepam, Jaya Bharatham, Jaya Kerala, Lokavani, Malayala Rajyam, Kunkumam, Mangalam, Manorajyam, Express (Thrissur), and other periodicals.
His first novel, “Manavatti,” was published in Deepika. Over the years, Prof. Mattam has published over a hundred works, including novels, stories, biographies, and translations. Two of his works, Innumuthal Maranamvazhi and Manavaraile Avar Thaniyachaayappol, delve into family life and are significant contributions to his literary portfolio.
Prof. Mattam has also made notable contributions to literature by translating famous works of international writers, including Sherlock Holmes, Agatha Christie, Michael Sholov, Ruskin, Fulten Auser, Robinson, Gustave Flaubert, Robert Louis Stevenson, and others. His most famous translation is of God’s Pauper by Kazantzakis, published as Saint Francis in Malayalam. This novel has received widespread praise from critics, including K.P. Appan, O.V. Vijayan, M. Mukundan, O.N.V. Kurup, and others.
He has also translated The Holy Star in the Poison Cave, which tells the story of Edith Stein, a nun who perished in a Nazi gas chamber during World War II. Additionally, he translated Bible Stories and As Much as He Loved (based on the New Testament).
Prof. Mattam has won numerous literary awards, including the K.C.Y.M. Award, Akhila Kerala Catholic Congress Award, Kunkumam Award, Chavara Award, and others. His contributions have enriched Malayalam literature, earning recognition for his deep moral compass and literary integrity.
Despite being free from any political party or group affiliation, Prof. Mattam remains steadfast in his belief that literature should not only entertain but also guide readers toward a more compassionate and moral life. His works continue to influence readers, and his commitment to literary excellence and ethical values remains unwavering.
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