D. C. Kizhakemuri

Dominic Chacko Kizhakemuri (born 12 January 1914 – 26 January 1999), better known as D. C. Kizhakemuri, was a well-known writer, activist, freedom-fighter and book publisher from Kerala. He founded the book publishing company known as DC Books. He played a pivotal role in abolishing sales tax on books in the erstwhile state of Travancore. This move influenced Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru to abolish sales tax on books across India. He was awarded Padma Bhushan in 1999.^[1] He was instrumental in promoting Malayalam (South Indian) language through his writings as an author; columnist for various publications and through his printing and publishing company, DC Books and retail concern Current Books.

Early life

DC Kizhakemuri was born to Sree. Chacko and Mumnayat Eliyamma on 12 January 1914 in Kanjirappally in Kottayam district of Kerala. He started his career as a teacher at the age 16 at Kanjirappally. He was then known as ‘Kochusaar’ meaning ‘Little Teacher’. Latter he Passed TTC from Changanassery and served as a teacher 12 More years. At that time he was attracted towards freedom struggle and became a part INC. By 1937 He has become an active member of INC and conducted many freedom fight meetings with K J Thomas.

Philanthropy

Dominic Chacko Kizhakemuri, the visionary, publisher and guiding force of DC Group was born on 12 January 1914 in Kanjirapally in Kottayam district of Kerala. He started his career as a teacher; a teacher who motivated and inspired numerous students. Being a man of principles and high integrity DC Kizhakemuri or DC as he was more affectionately known was naturally drawnto India’s freedom struggle.

DC Books

DC Books^[2] is a publisher and bookseller with headquarters in Kottayam, Kerala, India. It publishes over 6500 titles, mainly literature in Malayalam, but also including children's literature, poetry, reference, biography, self-help, yoga, management titles, and foreign translations. It distributes 70% of books across Kerala.

DC’s destiny was however, inextricably linked with books. He along with his friends Ponkunnam Varkey, P T Chacko and K J Thomas opened a bookstore called National Book Stall in Kottayam. Soon after that, DC Kizhakemuri started Sahitya Pravarthaka Co-operative Society (SPCS) along with M P Paul and Karur Neelakantapillai. The society was the first of its kind in Asia. SPCS published the best of works in Malayalam and worked for the welfare of the writers. In 1949 NBS and SPCS joined forces. Under the dynamic stewardship of DC, this merger heralded a new age in Malayalam publishing and production which was, till then in a very dismal state. The NBS network covered all the districts in Kerala and SPCS emerged as the biggest publisher

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