Despite living in Delhi for decades, Kerala was close to Omchery’s heart

Prof Omchery N N Pillai, who passed away on Friday, always kept Kerala close to his heart even though he lived in Delhi for the last 73 years. Omchery’s body of work includes nine full-length dramas, over 80 one-act plays and a few novels.

During his long life of 100 years, Omchery attempted daring experiments in literature and won the Kendra Sahitya Akademi Award, among other honours. Omchery’s dramas stood out for their novelty in techniques and presentation. His works also highlighted some extraordinary viewpoints. The title Omchery was derived from Onchery, which was the name of the writer’s house.

Omchery wrote his first drama, ‘Ee Velicham Ningaludethakunnu’ following a suggestion from A K Gopalan, who was the Opposition Leader in the Indian Parliament. Parliament members such as K C George, P T Ponnoos, E K Imbichi Bava and VP Nair acted in this drama.

The notable dramas written by Omchery include ‘Ulakudaperumal’, ‘Pralayam’, ‘Thevarude aana’, ‘Daivam veendum thettidharikkunnu’, ‘Sookshikkuka vazhiyil bhaktanmarundu’, ‘Eee velicham ningalkullathakunnu’, ‘Mindapoochakal’ and ‘Nallavanaya Godse’.

Omchery won the Kendra Sahitya Akademi Award in 2020 for ‘Akasmikam’, his autobiographical memoir. He was selected for the Kerala Sahitya Akademi award twice; in 1972 for the drama ‘Pralayam’ and in 2010 for overall contributions. The Kerala Government honoured Omchery with ‘Kerala Prabha’, its second highest civilian award, in 2022.

Omchery was married to the late Prof Leela Omchery, an artiste who brought national attention to Kerala’s sopana sangeetham. The late Kamukara Purushothaman, a noted Malayalam singer, was the brother of Leela. Omchery was born on February 1, 1924 at Moothedathukavu, a small village near T V Puram in Vaikom, in Kottayam district of Kerala, as the youngest son of P Narayana Pillai and Pappikutty Amma.

After attending Vaikom English School, Omchery resided at Advaithasramam of Swami Agamananda in Aluva for two years to study Sanskrit, vedas and Indian mythology. Subsequently, he completed the Intermediate course at CMS College, Kottayam and bachelor’s degree in Islamic History and Culture at University College, Thiruvananthapuram. He also earned a degree in law from Law College, Ernakulam. Omchery then pursued higher studies in Mass Communication from Pennsylvania University and New Mexico State University.

His official life began as a journalist with the newspaper ‘Malayala Rajyam’. In 1952, Omchery arrived in Delhi and made the city his permanent home and field of work. His first job in Delhi was with the news section of Akasavani (All India Radio).

Omchery later worked as an editor in Akasavani’s publications wing. Other positions occupied by Omchery include Public Relations General Manager in Food Corporation of India and Professor at Indian Institute of Mass Communication. Omchery retired from Central government service on February 1, 1989 and worked as Principal at Sardar Patel College of Communication and Management.

Active in the social and cultural activities in Delhi, Omchery welcomed a host of visitors at his house. Omchery kept a receptacle of sacred ash made with coconut shell at his house in Delhi which was used by his father Narayana Pillai in Vaikom, in memory of his native place. The writer often stated that coconut was an integral part of his life. With the death of Omchery, who made it a routine to read till midnight every day, Malayalis in Delhi have lost a father figure.