29th September 2021 is the 94th birth anniversary of Com.K.T.Mohammed, Bhishmapithamaha or Nataka Kulapathy of drama writers / artists of Kerala. The day is being observed every year by organising various programmes in his memory and on his contributions. This year the day is being observed by a webinar organised by the Purogamana Kala Sahithya Sangham. K.T. has written about 40 dramas, including ‘Ithu Bhumiyanu’ (‘This is the earth’), ‘Kandam Becha Kottu'(‘Coat with stitched parts’)etc. He has also written screen plays for a lot of Films. He had his own drama team and club. He was honoured with many awards including Kerala State Film Award for best screen play.K.T. Mohammed was an employee of the Posts and Telegraphs Department. He first worked as an ED Packer and after passing examinations was promoted to Postmen and then to Postal Clerk. He was very active in NFPTE and participated in all the strikes and struggles organised in P and T. He was suspended for his leading role in the Token Strike of 19th September 1968. He resigned protesting against the anti-worker victimization imposed on the strikers by the Central government and fully engaged himself in writing drama and attending other cultural activities. Of course, he continued his connection with the P and T Movement and his erstwhile comrades till the last. Attended many meetings and conferences of the union.I had the fortune to work in the union along with him. Many times visited his drama club. Even while functioning at Delhi, when visiting Kozhikode, I met him more than once at his residence along with late Com. K.Rajan, who was the Convener of the Co-ordinating Committee of NFPTE Kozhikode at that time. Once I gave K.T. a copy of the one page article about him published in the journal of the NFPTE in 1952 at the time when he was given an International Short Story Award award for his short story ” Kannukal ” (‘The Eyes’). He was very happy to receive the old copy.There is a big fine Statue of Com. K.T.Mohammed installed in his honour in the centre of the Kozhikode Town by the Corporation. But by oversight or so, the name and other particulars are not noted on the statue. The new Mayor of the Kozhikode Corporation, Smt. Beena Philip, has assured when we approached her, that the Corporation will certainly fulfill its responsibility in maintaining and placing a suitable name plate at the earliest.

