N. Krishna Pillai (22 September 1916 – 10 July 1988) was an Indian dramatist, literary critic, translator and historian of Malayalam language.

Known for his realism and dramatic portrayal of psycho-social tensions, Pillai's plays earned him the moniker, Kerala Ibsen.

[2] N. Krishna Pillai was married to Azhakattu Saraswathy Kunjamma, the marriage taking place in 1943,[2] and the couple had four daughters, Sahiti, Kala, Madhuri and Nandini, and a son, Hari.

Pillai died on July 10, 1988, at Sree Chitra Tirunal Institute for Medical Sciences and Technology, at the age of 71.

[4] He was credited with introducing social issues into Malayalam theatre at a time when mythological operas were the standard practice.