Kottayam: Kottayam Pushpanath, who popularised detective fiction in Malayalam literary world, died at his residence in Kottayam on Wednesday. He was 80.
The funeral will be held on Friday at 3pm at CSI Cathedral Church. He has authored more than 100 detective and mystery novels. His demise comes within a month of the death of his son, well-known wildlife photographer Salim Pushpanath.
Pushpanath's novels featuring private detectives Marxin and Pushparaj used to be a rage among Kerala youth.
He did his schooling from Good Shepherd LP School and MT Seminary High School in Kottayam and graduated in history from Kerala University in 1972. It was his mother, a teacher, who introduced Pushpanath to the world of books.
Beginning his career as a teacher in Kottayam district, Pushpanathan Pillai, better known as Kottayam Pushpanath, got into full-time writing once he took voluntary retirement. He had worked as a teacher in Kodiyathur Private School, Devikulam Government HS, Kallarkutty HS, Nattakom Government HS, Aarppookkara Government HS and Karapuzha Government HS.
His works have been translated into Tamil, Telugu and Kannada languages. Two of his works - Brahmarakshas and Chuvanna Anki - were made into films.
Chuvanna Manushyan, a science fiction, was his first work to be published. His works were serialised in most well-known weeklies in the state. A contemporary of Muttathu Varkey, Kanam E J Philip and Chembil John, Pushapanath tasted success since he chartered his own course and had his own style.
He is survived by wife, Mariamma. Apart from Salim, he has two more children.
His prominent works include Kardinalinte Maranam, Neppoliante Prathima, Yakshikavu, Rajkotile Nidhi, London Kottarathile Rahasyangal, The Blade, Brahmarakshas, Tornado, Gandhavayamam, Devayakshi, Draculakotta, Parallel Road, Level Cross, Draculayude Anki, Hitlerude Thalayodu and Manthramohini.