N. Krishna Pillai

Who is N. Krishna Pillai?

N. Krishna Pillai was a Malayalam language dramatist and literary critic from Kerala state, India. Born on 22 September 1916 in Varkala, Thiruvananthapuram district to Kakkattu Matom Kesavar and Parvathy Amma.

Prof. N.Krishna Pillai was a prominent playwright who gave a new outlook to the Malayalam drama. He is known as “Kerala Ibsen”. The plays by N.Krishna Pillai mark the evolution of realism, shedding farcical humour to undertake a serious study of character. His main works include Bhagna-Bhavanam in 1942, Kanyaka in 1944, Balabalam in 1946, Anuranjanam in 1954, Mutakkumutal in 1960, Kutathile Vilakku in 1972. He won the Sahithya Academy Award for his Literary criticism Prathipathram Bhashanabhedam in 1987. Pillai is also a recipient of Kerala Sahitya Akademi Award.

N. Krishna Pillai died on 10 July 1988.