About N E Balakrishna Marar
About N E Balakrishna Marar
N E Balakrishna Marar (1932–2022) is the founder of Poorna Publications which is a highly respected brand name in the Malayalam publishing world and literature. He was born in 1932 in Kannavam Village, near Kuthuparambu, North Kerala. His life was defined by incredible strength and resolute commitment. Unfortunately, tragedy struck at a young age when he lost his father when he was just one and a half years old, leaving him and his mother, Madhavi Marasyar, in a very difficult situation.
In 1947, when he was just 15 years old, he started a life-changing journey to Kozhikode, a city he knew little about. He began with humble jobs, first as a newspaper delivery boy and then as a worker at a local bookstore. But what made Balakrishna special was his unwavering determination to rise above the ordinary and leave a lasting impact on the world. In 1951, with just two bags of books, he established the 'Touring Book Stall' and sold books throughout Kozhikode, reaching out to intellectuals, college professors and writers. Balakrishna's passion and persistence paved the way for his dreams. He eventually saved enough money to buy a bicycle, which he turned into a mobile bookstore. From sunrise to sunset, he tirelessly pedalled through the city, even cycling to far-off colleges that were several kilometres away. These challenges were just minor obstacles for this determined young man.
His book business was always on the move, which posed a challenge: there was no permanent address or fixed shop name. However, he wasn't discouraged. He attached a sign to his bicycle that said 'TOURING BOOK STALL, CALICUT' and came up with the slogan, "If you want anything in print delivered to your door, please send a card to TOURING BOOK STALL, CALICUT". After four years of tireless work, he laid the foundation for his dream. In 1957, he rented a small shop and named it as 'TOURING BOOK STALL' only. Over the years, he achieved more success, and by 1963, he had expanded to a larger showroom. In 1966, he entered the world of publishing under the banner 'POORNA PUBLICATIONS’. To this day, the Poorna Publications has released more than ten thousand titles, including works by the most acclaimed Malayalam writers. Many of these books have received prestigious awards and have become prescribed textbooks at universities across the country.
Balakrishna Marar had a broad vision that went beyond just literature. He expanded into sports equipment, laboratory supplies and surgical products, establishing his business as a comprehensive educational resource centre. In 1988, he made a significant move to a five-story building which he proudly called his own. Each floor was dedicated to different sections of 'TBS’. With his expert guidance, Poorna Publications achieved an incredible feat by releasing eighty Malayalam books on a single day for its fortieth anniversary. Balakrishna Marar became a source of encouragement for aspiring writers, recognizing and nurturing hidden talents. Today, TBS Publishers' Distributors is the largest and most respected bookstore in South India, offering a wide range of educational resources. With branches in multiple cities, it completed more than seven decades of valuable presence among us.
Balakrishna Marar's love of travel took him around the world. He travelled across states within India and outside, including Japan, Singapore, Africa, China, Sri Lanka, Hong Kong, Malaysia, the United States, England and various other European countries.
He actively participated in numerous World Book Fairs held in India and even served as the Chief Organizer of the World Book Fair 1993 in Kozhikode, organized by the Ministry of Education, Government of Kerala. He received several awards, including the 'Akshara Award for Best Book Seller in 1990, 1996 and 1997, as well as 'The Distinguished Publishers Award in 1993 from the Federation of Indian Publishers, New Delhi. His notable contributions were recognized again with 'The Distinguished Book Sellers Award' by the Federation of Indian Publishers in 1997. In 2019, he received the prestigious 'Golden Award' from the Federation of Publishers and Book Sellers Association, New Delhi.
Balakrishna Marar actively participated in various organizations and clubs, making important contributions to the business community. In 2010, he received the prestigious Vajra Award in recognition of his significant contributions to the fields of commerce and industry. This award was established by Akashavani and the Rotary Club of Kozhikode as part of their 60th Anniversary Celebrations. He later served as the President of Lions International, Kozhikode. His active involvement in Lions International resulted in him being honoured with the 'Akshara Prabha Award' for his excellence in book publication and distribution.
In 2005, he wrote his autobiography 'Kanneerinte Madhuryam' (Sweetness of Tears), which was a deeply personal account of his remarkable life journey. Its launch in Kozhikode brought together renowned literary figures, including noted Hindi poet Sri. Ashok Vajpayee. This moving memoir received the prestigious Abu Dhabi Sakthi-Thayat Award later.
On October 14, 2022, the incredible life journey of Balakrishna Marar came to an end, shortly after he celebrated his 90th birthday. His lasting impact on literature, education and community service remains a timeless source of inspiration that will be remembered for a long time to come.