Joyce – Popular Malayalam Novelist

Joy Chowatkunnel, popularly known as Joy C or Joyce is a noted novelist belonging into Malayalam literature. His real name is Emmanuel. He became popular writing novels in several Malayalam magazines. He used pseudo-names for his writings like Jessie Junior, Josie Vagamattam and C.V. Nirmala. He has regularly worked with several less-known magazines, before penning novels for leading magazines like Manorajyam, Mangalam and Manorama which made him immensely popular among the readers. During his illustrious writing career of more than 4 decades, he wrote over 75 novels of which 6 of them have been adopted to big screen.

Joyce hails from Kottayam

He was born into an agriculture family in Thikoyi village near Erattupetta in Kottayam district. His birth name is C.S. Emmanuel. He has four siblings. When he turned 5 his family shifted to Chathapuzha. After 6 years his family again shifted to Pulingata of Idukki district. Though he spent the rest of his life here, he childhood memories are deeply rooted in Chovattukunnel, where he is spent his early childhood.

During his childhood days he has done odd jobs in neighbouring villages and even restaurants of neighbouring districts like Ernakulam. He had great passion for films since then. Though his family cultivated cardamom and coffee, they went through severe financial crisis. After completing 10th grade he went to study lab technician course in Kayamkulam. He had to walk 6 km and cross 2 estates to reach his institute. After returning from home he used to do odd jobs to earn a living.

Joyce’s first novel was Svampana Mayangunna Theeram

Fairy tales told by his grandfather during his childhood influenced him in writing later. His grandfather was an influential person in the village, but very strict. Since his primary school days, he was interested in reading. By the time he reached third grade he was fluent in reading Malayalam books. During his childhood days, it was not easy to get books in his remote village. Yet somehow, he managed to get books to read.

He began writing under various pen names in periodicals from 1981. Since then he has been writing for more than 4 decades. He got his first recognition in 1983 when he received Kumkum Novel Award for Best Novel. Since then he regularly published his novels in different magazines, winning many awards over the time. He published 50 novels in Manorama Weekly alone. He also published a few article series. He has worked as proof reader in Sitara press, Kollam during his younger days.

Kaanaatha Theerangal, Palayam, Manjurukum Theeram Manamurukum Theeram, Desadanapakshikal, Orithal Poovu, Streedhanam, Avasana Divasam etc are some of his noted novels. There was a time when he was simultaneously writing novels for two leading Malayalam weekly magazines at a time.

Some of his adapted works on celluloid are iconic

The work which gave him the best satisfaction was ‘Streedhanam‘, which was published in a weekly magazine as series. Later this novel was made into a popular film in the 1990s, with the same title starring Jagadish and Urvashi. He also wrote the next novel in the series, Bharya, which was also adapted to big screen with the same name. Jagadish and Urvashi reprised their roles in the sequel.

His popular novel Palayam was also adapted to big screen with the same title. Though director Bhadran wanted to make this film with Mohanlal the project didn’t materialise. As this novel was a great hit the editors encouraged him to write three more novels in this series – Valayam, Lorry Theruvu and Layam. The character Noble, the lorry driver was immensely popular in the 1990s. Though 5th part of the series was planned on big canvas, the project didn’t materialise.

Joyce – Some interesting and less-known facts

1. His father burnt the first story he wrote. Both his father and grandfather didn’t support writing during his younger ages.

2. He turned great reader after he was introduced to a local library in Upputhara. He used to walk 12 km to reach the library. He got madly addicted to reading since then.

3. In his 20s in the 1980s, when he and his brother Sunny did odd jobs to support his family which was in a very struggling stage, he used to earn just 10 rupees a day. The whole family survived on it.

4. He is the recipient of the first Kanam E.J. Literary Award for Comprehensive Contribution in 2024.

5. In his memory the first novel he read was Naathoon written by Muttathu Varkkey. He was studying in grade 5 then.

6. He usually avoids public stages where he is asked to deliver speeches.

7. Six of his novels have been made into films.

8. He was the co-writer of Malayalam film Njan Koteeswaran, directed by Joy Thomas in 1994.