Kamalakshi Amma, wife of Malayalam writer late Thakazhi Sivasankara Pillai, who died at Thiruvalla on Wednesday had been an inspiration and support for the Jnanpith laureate in his long literary career.
Kamalakshi Amma, born to Kunjunni Menon and Parvathi Amma of Peramannur House in Nedumudi, married the writer on September 15, 1934. From then on, till he passed away in 1999, Kamalakshi Amma was always by his side. The writer had acknowledged her myriad contributions to his works on several occasions. However, after his demise, the burden of solitude was weighing on ‘Kathachechi', as the Malayalam literary world called her.
One of her main passions was walking along the corridors and small rooms of their home at Thakazhi, known as Sankaramangalam, which was converted by the government into the Thakazhy Smrithi Mandapam and Museum.
She was always a pleasant host to connoisseurs of Malayalam literature, students, tourists, and everyone who had seen his or her reflection at least once in the mirror that her husband held up to life through his stories, who dropped in to reminisce and learn more from the museum.
One of her favourite rooms was the one that had his spectacles, collection of walking sticks, hearing aid, pan box, pens and passport and a worn-out Optima typewriter. It was perhaps a small irony of life that she had to pay an annual rent of Re.1 to live in the other portion of the house that was left to her.
She is survived by son, Balakrishnan, and four daughters, Radha, Janamma, Parvathy, and Jalaja.
