Keralam Speaker’s Onam greetings reach author Sumangala five years after her death

Keralam Assembly Speaker Thiruvanchoor Radhakrishnan has sent Onam greetings to celebrated children’s writer Sumangala, who passed away more than five years ago, in an apparent lapse that has left her family amused and bemused.The letter, addressed to Sumangala, Desamangalam Mana, Oottupara, Wadakkanchery, Thrissur, reached the family by post, prompting her son and cultural activist Ashtamoorthy to share the episode on social media.Sumangala, a celebrated writer of children’s literature, passed away five years and four months ago. Reacting to the letter, Ashtamoorthy thanked the Speaker for remembering his mother, but his post carried a sharp touch of irony.“Five years and four months after her death, Sumangala has received Onam greetings. At least, instead of Desamangalam Mana, the address could have been written as ‘Paralokam’ (the other world),” he wrote.“Anyway, we, her children, thank you on her behalf,” Ashtamoorthy added, posting a photograph of the Speaker’s letter.The response had a wry closing note: “There will be more festivals. Please don’t forget to send greetings for those occasions too, sir.” Published - August 28, 2026 09:01 pm IST