Oyyarathu Chandumenon

Oyyarathu Chandumenon (also known as O. Chandumenon) (9th January 1847-7th September 1899) was a Malayalam novelist who wrote "Indulekha" in 1889, the first Malayalam fictional work which met with all the requisite characteristics typical of a novel according to a widely accepted Malayalam literary convention. It is not the first novel per se, as Kundalatha (a much inferior work) by Appu Nedungadi pre-dates it by a year. "Indulekha" throws light on the Nair community during the second half of the nineteenth century when it was undergoing a transformation following western influences and English education. It exalts education and satirizes the orthodox practices of temporary marital alliances between Nair women and Namboodiri men. "Indulekha" was translated into English 1891 by the-then Collector of Malabar.

Chandumenon got his English education at the school level. He began his career as a clerk in the government service. He continued to teach himself English and won approval of English officials. William Logan, author of the Malabar Manual appointed him as a clerk at Sub-Collector's office. Through a series of promotions, he became a municiff, and in 1892 became the sub-judge of Calicut.He began a second novel named "Saradha", the first part of which appeared in 1892.

Chandumenon made important contributions as a social reformer. He was a member of the committee constituted to inquire and report on the Malabar Marriages Bill. His observations on matriliny among Nairs and polyandrous matrimony of Nair women that prevailed during the time are of historical importance. He was bestowed with the title of Rao Bahadur in 1898 for excellent service. Chandumenon died on 7th September 1899.