Seba Joy Kanam
Novelist, Poet & Songwriter
Nizwa, Sultanate of Oman
The Malayali expatriate community in the Sultanate can be proud that they have an accomplished novelist, poet and songwriter in their midst. It is none other than Seba Joy Kanam, the daughter of popular Malayalam novelist, lyricist, poet and playwright Kanam E J. This year, Seba was bestowed with the Aksharashree Award by Mahima Kalasahitya Sangham. She is active in various online literary portals and regularly contributes to various publications in Kerala and overseas. For the past 38 years, she has been residing in Nizwa with her family.
Daughter of an Illustrious Father
Seba was born to Kanam and Sosamma and she has four siblings-Sophie, Sali, Sajan and Susy. She grew up watching her father write and that made a lasting impression on her. Her father was one of the doyens of Malayalam literature and he has penned novels, poems, plays and songs. Born as Elavunkal John Philip, he joined the Army soon after passing Malayalam Higher. After his stint in the armed forces, he became a teacher and served in various CMS schools and also gave vent to his creative pursuits.
Later, when he felt that teaching stood in the way of his literary pursuits, he quit his job and became a full-fledged writer and adopted the nom de plume of Kanam. His serialised novels appeared in the Malayala Manorama weekly and later he started Manorajyam weekly, which became hugely successful as it featured his novels such as ‘Kattumanka’, and ‘Highrange’. One of his famous novels is ‘Bharya’, which was inspired by the Ammalukutty murder case of Tiruvalla and was later made into a movie by Udaya Studios. It went on to become a hit. He has to his credit seven plays, two anthologies and more than 100 novels of which 23 were made into Malayalam movies. Kanam also essayed the role of a song writer for five movies of which ‘Aval Vishwasthayayirunnu’ is noted for its hit song ‘Thirayum Theeravum Chumbichurangi’, which was born out of the pen of Kanam. Some of his notable works are ‘Jeevitham Arambhikkunnu’, ‘Pambanadi Paanjozhukunnu’, ‘Kattumaram’ and ‘Pranasakhi’. After an illustrious career, Kanam passed away on June 13, 1987.
Seba began her tryst with literature by writing pieces for children’s publications. Her latest novel is ‘Ente Penne Innale Nammude Nikkah’ in Malayalam. ‘Eman Mama Nadanna Vazhi’ is a compilation of short stories. She has also brought out more than 20 hugely popular Christian musical albums through the channel Daveed Kinnaravum.
Poems and Songs
Seba has penned several poems and some of them made their way into the anthology named ‘Venalnilavil’ published by Sreshta Bhasha. Her verses have also appeared in ‘Rithumarmarangal’ of the Malayala Sahitya Samithi and ‘Kavyalayathile Rashmi’.
Like her father, Seba, too, is adept at penning songs. Kumaranalloor Saravanan rendered the score for her song ‘Babel’, which was sung by famous singer K G Markose. Noted singers Mridula Warrier, Sharath, Wilson Raj, and Elizabeth Raju have lent their voice to her songs in several musical albums. Her song entitled ‘Manasasaras’ in praise of Mount Kailash became a hit and went on to win awards. She has also brought out albums such as ‘Shravanam’, ‘Rajamathavu’ and Christmas carols. ‘Fathima’, which encapsulates the travails of expatriates, went on to conquer hearts.
Accolades
Her contributions to Malayalam literature have fetched her several awards and accolades. They include Delhi-based Bharat Sevak Samaj National Award, Kavyopaharam Award of the Malayala Sahitya Samithi, and the Sahitya Akademy Prayanam Award. She was felicitated by Kudappanakkunnu grama panchayat in Thiruvananthapuram.
Family
Seba is married to Thumbunkal Mathew Joy. Their son Dr Jibu Joy is married to Dr Saira Jibu and they have two sons—David Jibu Joy and Esteban Jibu Joy, who are studying in Muscat.
Contact Information
Mobile: +968 71715699
