Shri. K. Kunhambu, senior Congress leader, was born on 1st June 1924, as the son of Shri. K.Urootty, in Chirakkalamsom of Cannanore District. Starting life as a labourer in Malabar Saw Mills, Cannanore in 1939 after passing ESLC, he underwent teachers’ training during 1940-42 and worked for some time as teacher . His certificate as teacher got cancelled for two years, when he was arrested in 1948, in connection with the Communist uprise in North Malabar.

Shri Kunhambu joined Congress in 1948. He had been selected as a Member of the District Welfare Committee by the Madras Government. During 1954-56, he also served as Deputy Sevak under the Harijan Welfare Department Shri. Kunhambu represented Ponnani constituency in 1st KLA, Alathur constituency in 2nd KLA and Njarakkal constituency in 9th KLA as Congress member.

Shri. Kunhambu was the Minister for Harijan Uplift and Registration from 22.2.1960 to 26.9.1962 in the second Ministry headed by Shri. Pattom Thanu Pillai and later,the Minister for Harijan Welfare from 26.9.1962 to 10.9.1964 in the third Ministry headed by Shri. R. Sankar.

He had served as the Chairman of the Committee on the Welfare of Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes. He was also a Member of the Lok Sabha for three consecutive periods from 1977-79, 1980-84 and 1984-89. In the course of a long public life, Shri. Kunhambu had served as General Secretary of Depressed Class League, Malabar Branch and also as working committee member of Bharatheeya Depressed Class League.

His wife is Smt.V.Madhavi. They have four sons and two daughters.

While serving as a Member of Kerala Legislative Assembly, Shri. Kunhambu expired on 14.12.1991.

The Assembly paid its homage to him on 4.3.1992.