MT, a legendary Malayalam writer who created timeless classics

Kozhikode (Kerala), Dec 26: Noted writer and Jnanpith award winner MT Vasudevan Nair, who died here on Wednesday evening, is known for elevating the art of Malayalam storytelling to a profound level through his works.

Popularly known as MT, Vasudevan Nair is celebrated for his evocative storytelling, exploring human emotions and the complexities of rural life.

The 91-year-old writer had been hospitalised in critical condition with a diagnosis of heart failure and breathed his last on Wednesday.

He was suffering several health issues including respiratory ailments for a while, according to the literary sources.

M T is a celebrated writer, screenwriter, and filmmaker, renowned for his profound contributions to Malayalam literature and cinema.

Born in 1933 in Kudallur, a quaint village in Palakkad district, Kerala, M T, through more than seven decades of writing created a literary world that appealed equally to both ordinary people and intellectuals.

At the time, Kudallur was part of the Malabar district under the Madras Presidency of British India.

He was the youngest of four children born to T Narayanan Nair and Ammalu Amma.

His father worked in Ceylon (Sri Lanka), while M T spent his early years in Kudallur and at his paternal home in Punnayurkulam, a village in present-day Thrissur district.

M T’s early life and surroundings deeply influenced his literary sensibilities.

He completed his schooling at Malamakkavu Elementary School and Kumaranelloor High School and graduated with a degree in chemistry from Victoria College, Palakkad, in 1953.

His professional journey began as a teacher and gramasevakan at a block development office in Taliparamba, Kannur, before he joined Mathrubhumi Weekly as a sub-editor in 1957.

Over the course of seven decades, he has authored nine novels, 19 collections of short stories, directed six films, wrote around 54 screenplays and several collections of essays and memoirs.

His novel Naalukettu (The Ancestral House) established him as a literary icon and is considered a classic in Malayalam literature.

Over the years, he authored several acclaimed works, including Asuravithu, Manju, and Kaalam, which earned him the Jnanpith Award in 1995, India’s highest literary honour.

At the age of 25, he won the Kerala Sahitya Akademi award for his second novel, Naalukettu (1959), and a decade later, Kaalam, his fifth novel, earned him the Kendra Sahitya Akademi award.

M T made significant contributions to Malayalam cinema as a screenwriter and director.

His films, including ‘Oru Vadakkan Veeragatha’ and ‘Kadavu’, are regarded as masterpieces, showcasing his ability to merge compelling narratives with visual storytelling.

M T holds the distinction of winning the National Film Award for Best Screenplay a record four times, for ‘Oru Vadakkan Veeragatha’ (1989), ‘Kadavu’ (1991), ‘Sadayam’ (1992), and ‘Parinayam’ (1994), the most by any individual in Malayalam in this category.

M T has been married twice.

In 1965, he married writer and translator Prameela, but the couple separated after 11 years of marriage.

They have a daughter, Sithara, who works in the United States.

In 1977, he married Kalamandalam Saraswathy, a noted dance artist. They have a daughter, Aswathy Nair, who is a professional dancer.

His residence on Kottaram Road in Kozhikode is named after his elder daughter, Sithara.(PTI)

Hot this week

Meghalaya man missing in Bangkok

Shillong, Jan 10: A 57-year-old Meghalaya resident, Mr. Treactchell...

ANSAM rejects Kuki’s separate administration demand, says bifurcation not acceptable

Guwahati, Sept 8: Rejecting the separate administration demand of...

Pay hike of Assam ministers, MLAs likely as 3-member panel submits report

Full report likely by Oct 30 Guwahati Sept 25: There...

Meghalaya’s historic fiber paves the way for eco-friendly products and sustainable livelihoods

By Roopak Goswami Shillong, Oct 25: From making earbuds to...

The Baghmara connection to Meghalaya’s political history

Tura, Aug 17: For many in the state, Baghmara...

OTS scheme rolled out to benefit over 45000 electricity consumers, 26 Cr waived

Shillong, Mar 4: Meghalaya Chief Minister Conrad K. Sangma...

India enter final of Champions Trophy with four-wicket win over Australia

Dubai, Mar 4: Star batter Virat Kohli top-scored with...

‘Previous govts even didn’t want to discuss boundary dispute with Assam’

Govt to ensure lasting peace along border: CM Shillong, Mar...

AIADMK chief evasive on possibility of joining hands with BJP

Salem (Tamil Nadu), Mar 4: AIADMK general secretary Edappadi...

State taking steps to tackle bud rot disease: Ampareen

Shillong, Mar 4: The state government has sanctioned Rs...
spot_img

Related Articles

Popular Categories

spot_imgspot_img