SHRI N.E. BALAKRISHNA MARAR

N.E.Balakrishna Marar was born in a middle class family of Kannavam Village of Malabar (Now in Kannur Dist.) in North Kerala, in the year 1932. His father, Shri.Kunhikrishna Marar was deprived of his inheritance due to the 'MARUMAKKATHAYA' system that was prevailing at that time in Kerala - a system in which the property of an individual was inherited by his sister's children instead of his own. Balakrishna Marar's father died when he was only one and a half year old leaving behind nothing to his only child and wife.

Balakrishna Marar and his mother Madhavi Marasyar were thrown into object poverty. He had to abandon his education at the primary level, due to the adverse home conditions. Deprived of any inheritance from his father - of food, cloth,education and above all, love care and attention, he was compelled to leave his village in 1947. His first destination was Calicut, a city about 100 Kms away from his village - a city totally strange and new to the young boy.

At the tender age of 14 he had started earning his bread working as a newspaper boy. Eventually, he was employed as a commission agent in small book shop. All the while he was craving to become 'Somebody' in life and was determined to achieve it!

After grave forethought, one day he decided to start off a business of his own. Collecting some books from a local bookseller, filling up 2 cloth bags with them, off he went in search of his fortune!

Balakrishna Marar, only 18 year old at that time, his only assets being undying will power, courage and bubbling enthusiasm carried books on his shoulders - peddling the length and breadth of the city, from door to door in search of book lovers. The intellectuals, college teachers and writers living in the city welcomed the young boy with fond affection and found in him a book-seller who could cater to all their requirements. He moved from door to door and offices, schools and colleges selling books. It was 1951 and only the beginning!

After a couple of years of hard work as a pedlar he bought a bicycle out of the money he had saved from the small profit he made. It was a dream come true - a vehicle on which he could carry more books - by which he could reach more customers on a day of work. Everyday he would pedal his bicycle from dawn to dusk; scanning every nook and corner of the city seeking his customers. There were days when he had to ride the bicycle to the distant colleges several kilometers away - often an uphill task in letter and spirit. However, these obstacles could hardly deter this dynamic young man.

Now, he was in an another dilemma! Since his book shop was mobile one, he did not have a permanent address for those who required his services. Neither was a name fixed for the shop. Without much hesitation, a board was hung on the bicycle 'TOURING BOOK STALL' and a slogan was coined - 'If you want anything in print at your door, please drop a card to TOURING BOOK STALL, CALICUT'.

This went on for another 4 years. After a decade of relentless struggle he had decided to establish a permanent shop. In 1957 a small shop was rented and seed of business sprouted - yet another milestone. The name remained : 'TOURING BOOK STALL'.

The shop was in the heart of the city and he had the unstinted support of the book lovers of Calicut. He was determined, rather destined to become the greatest book seller in Kerala.

Henceforth, it was a story of success after success. In 1963, he shifted to a larger showroom. In another few years he was the proud owner of a standard car, which was converted into a van with book shelves, and name 'TBS MOBILE UNIT'. The book stall that was previously on two wheels had now started touring every district in the State, bearing the sign 'TOURING BOOK STALL', supplying the needs of all educational institutions. On encouragement from his well wishers and famous Malayalam Literary luminaries, he started publishing books in Malayalam under the banner 'POORNA PUBLICATIONS'. This was in the year 1966. By 2007 he had published more than 4000 titles of different categories. Of these books, several have received prestigious awards and hundreds have been prescribed as text books for college students by different Universities.

With the starting of sales of Sports Goods, Laboratory Articles and Surgical items he had attained another goal - all educational aids under one roof.

The year 1988 is the golden year in which he shifted his show room to a five stored building - A building of his own with a carpet area of more than 20000 sq.ft. each floor occupying the different sections of TBS.

TBS Publishers' Distributors is now the largest and the best book shop in South India in size, turn-over and services. It is the one and the only one where all kinds of books are procured, stocked and sold - from kindergarten to college, be it general, technical or professional books. Today TBS stands towering among the book sellers in Kerala with 5 branches at Trivandrum, Kottayam, Thrissur, Kannur and Calicut and is all poised to celebrate Golden Jubilee in style.

Balakrishna Marar has travelled and covered almost all states of india. Further, he had travelled to Japan, Singapore, Africa, China, Sri Lanka, Hongkong, Malaysia all states of America, England and European countries, many times for business purposes.

During his business career he has participated in many World Book Fairs organized in India. He was also the Chief Organiser of the 'World Book Fair, 1993' which was conducted in Calicut (Organised by the Ministry of Education, Govt. of Kerala).

He was bestowed with 'AKSHARA AWARD' for the Best Book Seller for the years 1990, 1996 and 1997.

He has been awarded 'THE DISTINGUISHED PUBLISHERS AWARD 1993' by Federation of Indian Publishers, New Delhi.

He has been awarded 'THE DISTINGUISHED BOOK SELLERS AWARD' by Federation of Indian Publishers in the 50th year of Indian Independence August 1997.

He has been a member of Kerala Govt.Book Development Council since 1985. He is also an office bearer of the Kerala Book Publishers Association. He is actively associated with organizations and clubs like Giants, Cosmopolitan Club, Senior Citizens, Chamber of Commerce etc. He joined the Rotary movement in 1982 and has since held the post of Treasurer for a term and has also been Committee Chairman. He was the President of Rotary Club of Calicut Mid Town 1997-1998. He was presented the 'Golden Jubilee Vocational Excellence Award' of the Rotary Club in June 2000. He is the founder President of 'MARAR KSHEMA SABHA'. He is also the Chief Patron of the 'Uroob Award' Committee which decides the best Malayalam fiction creation of the year. At present he is holding the office as President of the 'Calicut Chamber of Commerce and Industries, Calicut.

On 2nd September 2005 Shri.Balakrishna Marar joined an elite club of authors when his autobiography 'KANNEERINTE MADHURYAM' (Sweetness of Tears) was released in Kozhikode at a gathering of literary celebrities. In fact noted Hindi Poet Sri.Asok Vajpayee flew down from Delhi to Kozhikode to release Sri.Marar's autobiography. This book won the prestigious 'Abudhabi Sakthi Tayat Award' for the year 2006.

He married Sarojam in 1962 and they have two children. His son Manohar, is a Post Graduate in English Literature, now assists him in his business. Anitha, his daughter is an Opthalmologist now working in the U.K.

His main hobbies are reading, cycling, swimming, yoga and playing shuttle badminton.