Mattathur (Thrissur): Local historian M P Narayana Pisharody was planning to publish his 15th book in connection with his 80th birthday. The foreword for the book 'Ente Swathvanweshana Kathakal' and its DTP was complete already. But, the COVID outbreak and lockdown put an end to all his plans.
However, nothing can stop Narayana Pisharody from researching into local history and writing. He has already finished two books titled 'Discovery of India in Pocket Size' and 'Keralathinte Sthalacharithram'. He is planning to publish both after the COVID restrictions are withdrawn. 'Discovery of India in Pocket Size' will be published in both Malayalam and Tamil languages in a single book.
Content of books
'Ente Swathvanweshana Kathakal' is a deep research into an era by the author, his family and local residents of the place. The book contains chapters like 'Muthupattanavum manikyapattanavum', 'Nammude Anushtanakalakalum Thalamelangalum', '2018-le Kerala Pralayam oru Visakalanam' and 'Madhyakeralathinte Samskarikacharithram'.
'Discovery of India in Pocket Size' is an abridged version of Indian history from Vedic era to the post-Independence years. Just like the title indicates, it is the Indian history in pocket size.
'Keralathinte Sthalacharithram' is the history behind the names of major places in all districts of Kerala based on the importance of events. The districts are classified as cultural capital - Thrissur, political capital - Thiruvananthapuram, commercial capital - Ernakulam, educational capital-Kozhikode and so on.
Missing book
Years ago, Narayana Pisharody had prepared a book titled 'Mahodayapurathu Ninnum Mahanagarathilekku'. It was about details from Kodungallur to Kochi and was a directory of Ernakulam district. He stayed in Ernakulam for preparing it. An official at the Information Department offered to publish the book through their directorate.
The then Ernakulam collector K R Rajan penned the foreword to the book and its DTP also was ready. However, it was not published for a long time. He was asked to send the DTP copy again, but no progress was seen. Later, he lost contact with the official and the copy was lost from the DTP press too. With this, his dreams of publishing the book was shattered.
Family life
Narayana Pisharody lives in Mattathur panchayat at present. After 30 years of service in revenue department, he retired in 1995. All of his books were published after retirement. In 2009, he received 'Sargaswaram' scholarly literature award for his book 'Ente Jeevithadarshanam'.
His wife Savithri Narayanan helps him by dictating the books. The couple have two sons Dr Krishnan Narayanan, an Ayurveda doctor in Bengaluru, Dr Madhavan Narayanan, Badminton Asian umpire and assistant professor of sports in a college at Eramllikkara, and a daughter Lakshmi Narayanan.
