Chenkulath Cheriya Kunhirama Menon

Chengalath Cheriya Kunhirama Menon (1882–1939), also known by his nom de plume M. R. K. C., was a Malayalam–language author and journalist from Kerala, India. He was associated with prominent newspapers and periodicals such as Kerala Pathrika and Mangalodayam. Some of his famous books include Velluva Kammaran Allenkil Sardar Sheikh Ayaz Khan and M. R. K. C. yude Cherukathakal. M. R. K. C. along with Moorkoth Kumaran, Vengayil Kunhiraman Nayanar, Oduvil Kunhikrishna Menon, C. S. Gopala Panicker and Ambadi Narayana Poduval are regarded as the pioneers of the short story in Malayalam literature.

Early life Chengalath Kunhirama Menon was born in 1882 in Valapattanam near Cannanore in Malabar. His mother was Chengalath Narayani Amma. Kunhirama got his family name, Chengalath, through matrilineal succession. His maternal uncle, is Chengalath Kunhirama Menon who founded one of the earliest Malayalam newspapers Kerala Pathrika in 1885. He was called Cheriya Kunhirama Menon to distinguish him from his uncle who was referred to as Valiya Kunhirama Menon, the equivalent of junior and senior generational titles in Malayalam. Menon assumed the nom de plume M. R. K. C., a combination of all four initials of his name written in English (Cheriya-Kunhi-Rama-Menon, C. K. R. M.) and reversed.

Menon received his primary education from the Ezhuthupalli run by Kunhikannan Gurukkal at Puzhathi near his home. After passing 4th class, he studied Sanskrit for two years. At the age of 12, he started studying English at Cannanore Municipal School. He started a monthly magazine Bharathi in 1933 in Trichur. This was converted into a weekly called Kudumbapatrika in 1934. However, it stopped due to financial difficulties. His first published book was a collection of essays titled Malayalathile Janmikal. This included the essays on estate administration which he published in Kottakkal-based magazines Janmi and Lakshmivilasam. Though the background is history, the characters and events were mostly imaginary and the author was not concerned about the historical accuracy of the narrative.