N. Krishna Pillai was a Malayalam dramatist and also famous as a critic. He was born in Varkala village, Thiruvananthapuram district in 1916. N. Krishna Pillai became a university professor of Malayalam. The plays by N. Krishna Pillai mark the evolution of realism, shedding farcical humour to undertake a serious study of character. His realistic picture used minimalism of dialogue, dramatis personae, and dramatic moments.

N. Krishna Pillai inaugurated the theme of mental conflict and complexity of emotional life in Malayalam theatre. His concern was the human situation in its fullness rather than transitory social relations. Concentration on a particular problem or person was his forte, with a singular devotion hitherto unknown to Malayalam drama. The deep analysis of inner conflict reminds of Ibsen, but the issues, ethos, and characters he brought in were his own. N. Krishna Pillai`s main works include Bhagna-bhavanam i.e. `Broken Home` in 1942, Kanyaka i.e. `Spinster` in 1944, Balabalam i.e. `Might against Might` in 1946, Anuranjanam i.e. `Compromise` in 1954, Mutakkumutal i.e. `Investment` in 1960, and Kutathile vilakku i.e. `Lamp inside the Pot` in 1972. N. Krishna Pillai also scripted radio drama and children`s plays. His literary criticism is unprejudiced and profoundly meaningful. N. Krishna Pillai died in 1988.