Mrs. K.M. Mathew

Infobox Person
name = Annamma Mathew


image_size = 160x200px
caption = Noted author of culinary literature in Malayalam
birth_date = March 22, 1922
birth_place = Godavari district,
Andhra Pradesh
death_date = July 10, 2003
death_place = Kottayam, Kerala
other_names = Mrs. K. M Mathew
known_for = Noted author of culinary literature
occupation = Founder Chief Editor of Vanitha

Annamma Mathew (well known as Mrs. K.M. Mathew [1922 – 2003] ) was the founder Chief Editor of Vanitha, the largest selling women's magazine in India and wife of K. M. Mathew, Chief Editor of Malayala Manorama. She died after a brief illness at a private nursing home in Kottayam, Kerala in India.

She was a noted author of culinary literature and tips for new recipes in Malayalam. She has authored 17 cook books in Malayalam and 4 in English and also leaves an indelible mark in the areas of journalism, music, cookery and social welfare. [cite web |url=http://www.hinduonnet.com/2003/07/11/stories/2003071102821300.htm |title=Mrs. K.M. Mathew passes away |publisher=The Hindu Online]

Early life

Born on March 22, 1922, in Godavari district of Andhra Pradesh where her father was a surgeon in the Madras Civil Service. She got married at the age of 20 to K.M. Mathew, a planter. She sharpened her talents in culinary art, which she inherited from her father, during her days with him.

A new turn in her life came when her Father-in-law, K. M. Mammen Mappillai, asked her to prepare a recipe to be published in Malayala Manorama.

Contributions

She was also the main columnist in tips for new recipes through a regular media column "Pachaka Vidhi" (The road of cookery) in Malayalam. Over the past 50 years, she almost alone took the flavors of the different curry’s aroma to the exciting dining tables across the world. She entered a new phase with the launching of Vanitha in 1975. She was the first Chief Editor and continued in the post till the end of her life. The magazine virtually redefined the identity of Malayalee women. She is also involved in social activities through the Kasturba Social Welfare Centre in Kottayam, which aims at empowering women. [cite web |url=http://www.1stholistic.com/Recipes/liv_mrs-KM.htm |title=Mrs. K. M. Mathew, Healthy Recipes Hall of Fame |publisher=Holistic Living]

She has authored over twenty books. Her subjects range from cookery, health and beauty care and hair styling to floristry and travel. She was also a columnist and most of her recipes available in popular publications. [cite web |url=http://www.puzha.com/malayalam/bookstore/cgi-bin/author-detail.cgi?code=1331 |title=About Mrs.K.M.Mathew |publisher=Puzha.com]

Awards

Her contributions to journalism fetched her several honors and won a number of awards, including the Rachel Thomas Award (1992), ‘Vignanadeepam Puraskaram’ (1994) and ‘Nirmithi Kendra’ Award (1996). [cite web |url=http://www.hinduonnet.com/thehindu/mp/2003/05/26/stories/2003052601720200.htm |title=Recipe for success |publisher=The Hindu Online]

References

Further reading

* [http://www.hinduonnet.com/thehindu/mag/2003/07/27/stories/2003072700450600.htm With a song in her heart]