The late Mrs.Malathy M. Nair, Mali’s wife was the daughter of K.Kuttikrishna Menon, an outstanding lawyer and Advocate General of the erstwhile Madras State. She was born in December 1926, and brought up in the city of Madras (now Chennai).

As a student of Ewart School and later of the Womenʼs Christian College, she excelled in studies and in extra-curricular activities.

She was adept at playing the veena, having been a disciple of the famous artiste, the late G.N.Dandapani of Chennai, and took part in school and college functions.
 
She represented her school in inter-school sports competitions, participating in items such as the high jump. She maintained her avid interest in sports to the very end of her life, often discussing the merits of tennis and cricket matches, and athletics meets, with her children - remarkable indeed for a woman of her generation.

Malathy M. Nair was widely read and was up to date on all current affairs. Her flair for writing manifested itself in occasional contributions to English magazines and newspapers.