Damodara Menon. K.A. (1906-1980)

Damodara Menon was an adventurous freedom fighter. He treated journalism as part of politics. He began his journalism career as editor of Samadarshi. Later edited Mathrubhumi for 14 years. When KP Kesavamenon returned from Singapore in 1948, he handed over the charge back to Kesavamenon. Damodara  Menon who was jailed for many times during freedom fight, was once jailed when he was the editor of Mathrubhumi.

He was s most excellent parliamentarian and diplomat too. He was member of provincial parliament in Travancore. In the Ministry headed by Pattom Thanu Pillai, he was the minister for Industries. He was Minister for Industries and Local Administration in the subsequent Cabinet headed by R. Sankar.

As one having a rich experience in journalism, Menon has authored a number of books including ‘Narmakadhakal’, ‘Bhavanasoonam’ ‘Balaraman’ and ‘Thoppil Nidhi’. He served as the first Chairman of Kerala Press Academy, when it was formed in 1979.

Damodara Menon was born to  Thangu Amma from Kalappurakkal  and Achuthanpillai from Thazhathuveettil, Karumaloor in 1906. He studied at Paravoor High School and in Thiruvananthapuram. After graduation, he took LLB and also worked as a teacher in Burma for a brief period

His wife Leela Damodara Menon was a prominent Congress leader and social activist. He passed away on November 1, 1980.