London based, Indian, Kerala State born writer from Charumood, is a Malayalam
and English writer. Son of Karoor Samuel and Mother Rachel Samuel. He has
written dramas, novels (including English), stories, poems, Children’s novel,
history, biographies, essays, travelogues, sports, science and tourism. Till date, he
has fifty one books published by well known publishers which spans four decades
and he has visited thirty five countries. He has received more than twenty
prestigious awards and recognitions from prime minister, chief ministers and
literary personalities.
During his high school years, he started writing poems for Balarama(division of
most popular newspaper in Kerala,India) children’s magazine and later he turned
to write radio dramas of which Kartanittu and Karmekham were broadcasted by
Trivandrum and Thrissur radio stations in Kerala. After the 1970s, he was the only
youth member for the Kerala Yuvasahitya Sakyame from Mavelikara which was
run by Malayalam Manorama, Kottayam. In 1972, his controversial drama
"Eruladanja Thazhwara” was presented at Thamarakulam High School. The play
portrayed the abuse of police towards society. He got the best character actor in the
competition at the Annual Day Celebrations. This drama was watched by some of
the attending student's parents who worked at the Mavelikara police station. After
the drama some of the police personnel accused him of being a naxalite and
threatened him. The police came to know that the same drama was to be played at
the Nooranadu Leprosy Auditorium on their Annual Day. As predicted the police
were not so pleased about this news and decided to plan a trap for him. They
conjured a false police case against him connected with Naxalite group and had
him arrested, beaten and tortured at the Mavelikara police station. This was his first
punishment for bringing out the love and truth that he had towards literature
writing. The police and his parents threatened him to stop writing or leave
Thamarakulam/Charumood. Lastly he escaped to North India, Ranchi where he
worked for the Daily newspaper called Ranchi Express. During this time he also
wrote drama and songs for Ranchi Angel Theatres. Later on his dramas were
played in Agra, Delhi, Bokaro, Ludhiyana and Mumbai by the Malayalam
samajam and associations. In 1975, his first ‘Kalayum Kalavum’ was published by
Ranchi Malayalaee Association Magazine called malayalee. In 1985, Kottayam
Vidhyarthi Mithram published his first musical drama "Kadalkara". He wrote his
second musical drama "Kadalinakkare Embassy School" which was the first
Malayalam drama from the Gulf countries. His recent English novel is called
Malabar Aflame and was released in the British Parliament. He publishes Pravasi
Malayalam Magazine from London and acts as Associate Editor, Editor and
representative of various publications. During the London Olympics 2012, he
reported London Diary for Madhyamam Malayalam newspaper from London. He
has also been the Chairman of World Malayali Council for the Middle East and
African regions and he was the Literature section Convenor and Chief Editor of
Jawala magazine for the biggest organization in UK called UUKMA. Now Karoor
is the President of London International Malayalam Authors (LIMA). Karoor
Soman has endeared himself to the Keralites in the fascinating world of Malayalam
and English Literature.
Wife – Omana Daniel Childrens-Rajeev, Simmy and Sibin