"Ettamathe Mothiram" departs
KM Mathew (1917-2010) who died on Sunday symbolized one important dimension of Indian Print media, the owner-editor. To some of us outside Kerala, the newspaper was a representation of how an Indian language newspaper could infuse professionalism with constant innovative practices with respect to layout, design and font improvements. Professionals who trace his contribution mention his interest in bringing the best minds from across the world to the newspaper--Tarzie Vittachi, Harold Evans to name a few-- and work towards its improvement. The contiguous habitation of the State and its legendary newspaper reading habits had accorded Malayala Manorama a distinct place. Media are also central to the often praised and critiqued Kerala Model of development. Kerala also accounts for explicit political affiliation and ownership of media. Their historical origin in circa 1888 is attributed to certain religious motives.
Tributes from the President and the Prime Minister, political leaders and professionals were rich and reflected the contribution of KM Mathew (KMM) described as a colossus of Indian media. The New Indian Express accorded a front page space to his death while the Hindu had an inside page story and obit. NIE was also informative in printing the write up by K Padamnabha Nair, a long time associate of KMM. "The first thing you have to do is to understand the mind of the reader. Decide your menu on the basis of this" was the dictum when Nair was asked to take charge of the Manorama Weekly that was struggling to compete with another weekly, Mangalam.
The Hindu in its report while paying tribute briefly chronicled the achievements of the group under his stewardship. "Manorama introduced reader friendly editorial packaging techniques and professional page designing…and consolidated its leadership in circulation in the regional market. The newspaper today has a daily circulation of about 18 lakhs with 17 printing centers in Kerala and elsewhere. The group has nearly four dozen publications in Malayalam, English and Hindi...runs a radio and television channel as well."
The diversification of the group into other media enterprises is attributed to his management and business qualities. The group’s online site, apart from reporting his death had also put up a slide show capturing the images of KMM with visiting dignitaries and political establishment. The association of print media groups with news agencies and other bodies is common but his role and contribution to the Press Trust of India, the country’s premier news agency and its language version Bhasha is highlighted as one of his significant achievements.
Nurturing a key media institution throughout the highly literate and political conscious state of Kerala is perhaps a challenge. To make the inheritance a success, diversify and occupy a key place in the media map of the country is an achievement. Times have changed and we might see and hear less of media owners. KMM who saw the newspaper through various phases of
"Ettamathe Mothiram" (Eighth Ring) KMM’s autobiography published two years ago, is described as providing "insight into the molding of Mathew, ridden with the travails and upheavals which swept his family under the Diwan rule and the resultant determination and grit gained through such experience."
The narartive starts from Kuppupuram in Kerala and winds its way through through Kottayam, Thiruvananthapuram,
The book is dedicated to K. M Mathew's mother, whose ornaments were made into rings and given to her nine children. Mathew, being her eighth child, got the eighth ring, which turned out to be the title of the book on his life.