Painter, author, and chronicler of Kerala's Syrian Christian heritage.
K. M. Varghese was a self-taught artist whose portraits graced churches,
colleges, and royal households across Travancore. He was equally prolific
as a writer, contributing works of history, fiction, and literary criticism
to the Malayalam press over five decades.
The Literary Contributions of Chitramezhuthu K. M. Varghese
A PhD thesis by Leelamma George · Mahatma Gandhi University, Faculty of Oriental Studies · 2007
In 2007, Leelamma George — then Lecturer in the Department of Malayalam at Bishop Moore
College, Mavelikara — completed a doctoral thesis devoted entirely to K. M. Varghese's
writing: his novels, histories, essays and criticism, and the place they hold in Malayalam
literature. It remains the most thorough study of his literary life yet written.
The English edition is an informal, reader-friendly translation prepared so that family and
readers who do not know Malayalam can follow the work. It is not an official or academic
translation — the original Malayalam thesis, archived at Shodhganga, remains the
authoritative version.
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Writings About K. M. Varghese
Books & articles
Books
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Chithramezhuthu K. M. Varghese
ചിത്രമെഴുത്ത് കെ. എം. വറുഗീസ്
A biography by K. V. Mammen · 1993
The life of the painter, prose-poet and historian, told by a former Assistant Editor of the Malayala Manorama from letters, newspapers and family records.
Articles and tributes written about him will be listed here as they are added.
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Paintings by K. M. Varghese
118 works · 1909–1960
Photographs of the original paintings, as gathered by the family.
Awaiting identification — do you recognise any of these works from the catalogue below? Please write in through the family directory.
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Photographs of paintings to be added here
An early portrait of Mar Joseph Divannasios, Metropolitan of Pulikot, Malankara Parish.
A full-length portrait of the Melpadi Metropolitan.
Picture of Shauryar Pathiri, father of Kurishingal Lonanpillai, Chettikad, Alappuzha (1909).
Picture of Lonanpillai's mother.
Picture of Muthakoithampuran at Ananthapuram, Haripad (1910).
Picture of Vanjipuzha Tampuran Uzhuthira (1910).
Picture of Purakkal Cor Episkopa at Ranni (1910).
Two images of Kuruvila and his wife at Nedyuzh in Kallisser.
Picture of Purakkal Chakochan in Kallisser (1911).
Image of Unnittan's wife at Tamarapalli in Kallisser.
Picture of Katanar at Pulimoot in Kallisser (1911).
Two portraits of the parents of Changanassery Murani Govindappilla's daughter-in-law and school inspector C. R. Krishnapillai B.A. (1911).
Picture of Kochi resident Joseph Alungal Achan, Vicar of Alappuzha Chettikad Poongkao Church.
A picture of Pulikot Youssef Shemmashon.
A picture of Panicker Katanar at Mavelikkara Parambam.
Picture of Puthanpurakkal Varki Vadhyar's wife in Mavelikkara Nakkava.
Pictures of Kunju Panikkan's father and mother in Mutt Uri.
Picture of Muttam Kokateth Pappu Channar.
Picture of the father of Travancore Govt. Chief Secretary C. O. Madhavan (Kattanam).
Picture of little baby Channar in Mumt Alimoot (Vetti Kolla).
Two pictures of Keerikat Kottur Govindan Channar's father and mother.
Photo of Kottayam Cherian Registrar's father.
Picture of Samuel's mother at Alamelutheri.
Image of Namboothiri at Keerikat Alappuram.
Picture of Kottayam Mattithara Mathai Chandy Father's father-in-law.
Image at Chengannur Aratupuzha Kizhavan Moop.
Image of Kottayam Venkedamat Achan (to Niranama).
Picture of Achan in Niranath Pattamuk.
Image of Valiappan at Veeyapuram Kurichiyet.
Portrait of Mar Ostatheos Methran, representative of Antioch, Kottayam, to Old Simmanari.
Three pictures of Ponkunnam Thampalakkat Puthumane Yusepachan and his two brothers.
Image of the Maharajah of Kochi (reigning, vacated), Thrissur C.M.S. High School.
Picture of Achan, manager of Iringalakuda Kariannoor Kanyaka Math, Kochi.
Two pictures of Pala Edamatam Kuruvinakunnel Thommachan and his wife.
Two pictures of the parents and sons of Elanjikaal Taryat Kunhithomman in Kothamangalam.
A picture of the Vicar of Kothamangalam Catholic Church.
A picture of Sree Narayanaguru for Changanassery Anandashram — the picture Mahatma Gandhi saw during his visit to Travancore and spoke highly of.
An image of Sree Narayanaguru for the Ayirur Kangeetkara Shiva Temple.
Image of Kavalam Govindapanik's mother.
Picture of Chengannur Arikara Kochukaliekal Purushothaman.
Two pictures of Chakochan and his wife at Kallanparam in Ranni.
Image of Ranni Viola Chakochan's daughter.
Portrait of the great Mar Divannasios Metropolitan, known as the Sixth Marthomma, for the Putankav Great Church (copied from an old picture).
Image of Thomas Panicker on Mavelikkara East Parambam.
Picture painted for the girls' school near Mavelikkara Kottakkam, commissioned by Sri Moolam Thirunal Maharaja on the occasion of Shashtipurthi.
Picture of Papi's mother at Mannar Arikupur.
A third portrait of Malankara Metropolitan Pulikot Mar Divannasios.
A picture of Dr. Kuryalassery, Bishop of Changanassery.
A portrait of Monsignor Father Kandankariyachan.
A portrait of Mar Peelaxinos Metropolitan (later Second Catholicos) at Vakathanat.
Image of Kandanat Murimatt Mar Evanios.
Image of Mar Abdul Messiah Patriarch, Kundera Simmanari.
Four paintings of Malankara Metropolitan Mar Geevarghese Deewannasyos Vatasser (for Kundara, Old Simmanari, Thazhakkara English School, and Parumala Simmanari).
Image of Mar Gregorios Metropolitan at Kallassery, for Kundera Simmanari.
Another picture of the Melpadi Bishop, painted after his conversion to Catholicism, for Kundara.
Two pictures of Melpadi Katholika's parents.
Two pictures of Pachani Pappachan and his wife at Poovarani in Meenachil.
Two pictures of Sarasakavi Mulur S. Padmanabhapanikar (one for high school).
Two pictures of Papachan and Amma in Meenachil Kallivyal.
Three paintings of Pottankulam Zakariachan, Anujan Thommachan Jr., and Vincent Saipin in Kanjirapalli.
Picture of Kottayam C.M.S. College Principal C. K. Thommasin, for the college.
Photo of Travancore Anchal Superintendent Padmanabhaiyar, Thiruvananthapuram.
Three pictures of Travancore Sanitary Commissioner John Chandy, his wife, and his father, Kottayam.
Image of Chengannur Budhanur Churahitta Unnithan.
Image by W. J. Edmond Saip for London Mission English School, Kollam.
Image of Varkala Chavarkot Kochucherukan Vaidyan.
Picture of Dr. Daniel's mother, south of Puthikav Alin.
Image of Tirunalveli Bishop Dr. West's sister, Madam Weston.
Portrait of Malayalam School Inspector Kottarakkara Aviyot Mathew Win (1931).
Portrait of Puthur Sankaran contractor's father at Chengannur Perisser (1923).
Portrait of Mar Xavierios Methran's mother at Wallakuzhi, Thiruvalla (1923).
Two pictures of Thiruvalla Irupallipra Chattanupalli Mrs. K. I. Varghese Mapila and her husband, late Manorama editor Kandathil Varghese Mapila.
Image of Kushmantaswami at Umbarnat Ashram (1925).
Picture of Manikathanar at Kurathikat Cheravalli (1925).
Image of Changanassery Bishop Dr. Kalassery (Aramana).
Picture of Mepral Manamel Conservator M. C. Chandy's mother.
Picture of Kanyantra Doctor Alexander's paternal grandfather Thommikku.
Two images of Sreedharasanyasi and his father in Chengannur Peringala Kulamulla.
Photo of Travancore Anchal Superintendent Padmanabhaiyar (1941).
Picture of Travancore High Court Judge K. K. Punnan Luko and Travancore Durbar Physician Ms. Lucas's wife (1942).
Picture of Thiruvananthapuram Hajjur Stationary Superintendent I. S. Narayanapillai, Arappuravilakath, Punnapuram (1943).
Image of Kottayam Palampadam Thomas Vakeel, for Kottayam Bank Head Office.
Portrait of British Prime Minister Winston Churchill, painted under the title The Crouching Lion, presented to Madame Miss Olive in Madras, who took it to London.
Portrait of an American gentleman (Klabis), painted at his request and later taken to America.
Picture of Aluva Union College Principal A. M. Varki, for Kottayam M.D. Simmanari.
Two pictures of Major P. C. Koshi's (Kuttai Doctor) parents.
Two pictures of Planter E. Kochumman and his wife at Chepatu Everathu East.
A painting of Kottayam Kilirur Mecherimath Ananthanarayanaiyar for the Karthayaneevilasam Reading Room.
Image of Chengannur Kotureth Cheryachan.
Photo of Doctor Punnan Jacobin at Kottayam Thekekummoot.
Image of Catholicos Bava (Kallassery), auctioned for Rs. 300 by Kayamkulam parish — Rs. 150 contributed to the Catholic Fund, Rs. 150 received by the artist (1949).
Picture of Abraham Marthomma Metropolitan, President of Malankara Marthomma, for the school building of Thazhakkara Marthomma Church.
Two images — Parumala Mar Gregorios Metropolitan and Pulikot Mar Divannasios Metropolitan — for Kundera Simmanari.
An image of the late Papi at Thevarvel, Kojancherry.
Image of Kottayam Palampadam Thomas Vakiel's bailiff C. K. Koshi (baby), for Mundakayam Gracie Memorial Chapel.
Two pictures of P. C. Matthew I.C.S. (Madras Transport Commissioner) and his father, for Madras.
Two pictures of Dr. Daniel and his wife, south of Puthikavil Allin.
Foot-length portrait of the late Mar Pilexinos Metropolitan, for Machamkunn Catholicate English High School.
Picture of Skaria Malpan Achan for the small chapel at Kottayam Orthodox Vedic College.
Picture of Manorama Editor K. C. Mamman Mapila, for the Manorama office.
Picture of Mrs. E. K. Kochumman at Chepat Everat East.
Picture of Manorama Editor K. C. Mamman Mapila's wife.
Picture of Kottayam Palampadam P. T. Thomas Vakiel, for Pampadi School.
Image of Mar Eugene Timotheus Metropolitan, for Muvattupuzha Vadakara English High School.
Portrait of the mother of Madras Transport Commissioner P. C. Mathew I.C.S., for Madras.
Two bust pictures of Manorama Editor K. C. Mamman Mapila and his wife, painted together in one frame (1954).
Painting of Geevarghese Isaac at Pauvvattikunnelaya Vazh (Thekemannil), Mallappally (1955).
Image of the mother of K. P. Krishnamenavan I.A.S., of Kozhikode Panniangara Mullassery Tharavat, North Malabar.
Picture of Judge P. A. Oommen B.A. M.L.'s father, Thonakad Palamootilachan.
Picture of seven members of the Palampadam family in a single large frame — including late Palampadam Thomas Vakiel, his late wife, their late youngest son, elder son Dr. P. T. Thomas M.L.A., Anujan P. T. Eepan, and sisters Akamma and Kunjamma. Completed 19 November, released 8 January 1956 — an unprecedented family portrait of seven people in human size in a single frame.
Picture of Thiruvananthapuram Hajjur Stationery Asst. Controller K. Karunakaran, donated freely at the wish of his eldest son Matthew (1956).
Picture of Pathanamthitta Catholicate College Principal Mr. Nainan Abraham, commissioned by students and professors to mark the founding of the college.
Picture of the mother of Kundera Aluminum Company Publicity Officer R. Parthasarathy M.A. of Thanjavur, painted one yard in length, taken to Kundara Aluminum Factory.
Bust portrait of P. C. Matthew I.A.S., presented to his mother when he was posted at the Delhi Secretariat.
A large picture of Mar Gregorios Metropolitan at Chaturuth, containing the tomb of Parumala, painted for the trustees of Thumbamon English School (1959).
Two pictures of Manorama Editor K. C. Mamman Mapila, commissioned by Manorama Managing Editor K. M. Matthew B.A. for the Manorama Office (1959).
A picture of Mavelikkara Erezhavatak Vallat Raman Kangani, painted at the request of Kunjupanikan.
Picture of Manorama Editor K. C. Mamman Mapila's wife, commissioned by K. M. Cherian M.A. (1960).
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Published Articles by K. M. Varghese
48 known articles
Comedies Kerala Abhimani, 1915
Beggars of Kerala Keraliya Abhimani, 1915
Mahad Verses Nasrani Deepika, Mannanam, 1913
Literary Criticism Movement Prachnatharaka, February 1913
20 Malayalam Greats Keraliya Abhimani, 1919
Concepts of Masters in Painting Nasrani Deepika, 1913
Kerala Painting and its Development Uttarataraka, Paravur, August 1919
Jaundice Nasrani Deepika, 1916
Photography Nasrani Deepika, 1913
Nayans and Nasrani Samadarshi, Thiruvananthapuram
State of Roads in Kerala Manorama, 1920
Titles of the Nasrani Community Manorama, 1923
A Dharmanishtha (story of Marthandavarma Maharaja and a Christian Swaputri in Travancore) Manorama, 1928
Caste Dialects in the Malayalam Language Manorama, 1919
Inscription Atmaposhini, Kunnamkulam, 1914
Chiri Atmaposhini
Architecture and Hydrology Atmaposhini, 1912
Mantras of the Malankara Nasrani Bhashaposhini, 1920
Pullelikunju (review of the book Pullelikunju) Bhashaposhini, 1924
Forgeries of Muttass Namboothiri Bhashaposhini, 1924
Some Special Phases in the Catholic Prohibition Kerala Kesari, Kottayam, 1928
Vaiyakaran Geevarghese Katanaar Manorama
Early Examples of Modern Malayalam Prose Manorama, 1927
Domestic Form of Aluva Mahayoga Manorama
Bishop Play Manorama
A Sadirkottu Vidhi — History of the Thachal Family Manorama, 1932