Shri. K.P. Viswanathan, Congress leader and Advocate, was born as the son of Shri. Kallayil Pangan and Smt. Parukutty on 22nd April, 1940 at Kunnamkulam.

During his school and college days, he was actively engaged in sports and games and was the Basket Ball Team Captain in Kerala Varma College, Thrissur and Atheletic and Hockey team member. He had also participated in dramas,during this period . Entering politics through the Youth Congress, he has served as President, Thrissur District youth Congress from 1967 to 1970, and has remained an active member of KPCC since 1972.

Shri. Viswanathan became elected to KLA in 1977 and 1980 from Kunnamkulam constituency as an INC member. He was subsequently elected to the Assembly in 1987, 1991, 1996 and yet again in 2001, from Kodakara constituency . Shri. Viswanathan has served as the Minister for Forest from 2.7.1991 to 16.11.1994 in the Ministry headed by Shri. K. Karunakaran and from 5.9.2004 to 10.2.2005 in the Ministry headed by Shri. Oommen Chandy.

Currently he is serving as Chairman, Committee on Private Members Bills and Resolutions. A recipient of the National Award from Anti Narcotic Council of India, for the performance achieved in anti-narcotic activities and Preservation of Forests, during his tenure as Minister for Forests, he had also been awarded Best Parliamentarian Award (Mathruka Samajik) instituted by Thrissur Cultural Centre.

Presently a member of the KPCC executive, Shri. Viswanathan has served, at differenct times, as Secretary, Thrissur D.C.C., Secretary, Congress Parliamentary Party, Member, Khadi Board, Member, K.S.R.T.C Director Board, President, Thrissur District Co-operative Bank, Member, Kerala State Cooperative Union Managing Committee, Director, State Co-operative Bank, and Chairman,B.D.C, Chovvannur.

Married to Smt. M.P. Lalitha, they have two sons.