Kerala Christians mourn novelist's death

Leaders paid rich tributes to the literary figure, who authored more than 100 books.

By Kurian Pampadi
Kochi:  Top Catholic leaders in Kerala Church yesterday joined the funeral services of professor Joseph Mattam, an award-wining novelist, who died Tuesday of age related causes. He was 83.

Syro-Malabar Major Archbishop Cardinal George Alencherry led the last rites at the residence of Mattam in Kottayam assisted by Bishop Joseph Kallarangat of Palai and his Auxiliary Bishop Jacob Muricken.

Leaders paid rich tributes to the literary figure, who authored more than 100 books to earn the Kerala Sahitya Academy’s highest honor for lifetime contribution to literature.

“The church acknowledges his virtues and thanks his contribution to make the life of its members virtuous and meaningful,” Cardinal Alencherry said.

Mattam, who began his career as a schoolteacher, published 50 novels and translated biographies of more than 50 celebrated literary figures from across the globe.

Bishop Kallarangat said that perhaps Mattam will be remembered for his translation of Nikos Kazantzakis’ classical novel God’s Pauper on the life of St. Francis for which he was conferred the Appan Thampuram literary award in 2010.

Kerala Sahita Academy President Perumbadavam Sreedharan expressed condolence over the death of Mattam who earned the Academy Award in 2011.

Mattam "wrote of the trials and tribulations of the Malabar migration of yore but combined his stories with love, compassion, envy, agony and ecstasy and always left an element of hope,” said Perumbadavam.

Born in Cherpunkal near Pala, Mattam started as a journalist in Deepika and served it for 12 years. In 1967, after post graduation, he joined the Malayalam department of St Thomas College and retired as professor.

He then served as the chief editor of the Church-run weekly Deepanalam and the science monthly Sasthrapadham.