MT Vasudevan Nair, doyen of lyrical nostalgia, passes away

Kozhikode: MT Vasudevan Nair, Malayalam's master of lyrical nostalgia, died on Wednesday in Kozhikode. The 91-year-old writer breathed his last at Baby Memorial Hospital. His mortal remains will be taken to his home in Kozhikode soon. In the visuals aired on news channels, a huge number of people were seen flocking to the writer's residence here.

The last rites will be performed at Mavoor road crematorium here on Thursday around 5 pm. No public homage will be conducted, as the writer was completely against it, reported Manorama News. But people will be allowed to give last respects to MT at his residence.

The writer was rushed to the hospital on December 15 after suffering a cardiac arrest. On Tuesday, doctors said that MT is out of ventilator support. But his condition turned very critical on Wednesday night.

Popularly known as MT, Nair has left an indelible mark on the worlds of novels, short stories, screenplays, children's literature, travel writing, and essays.

He directed six movies, including the poignant 'Nirmalyam', a classic in Malayalam cinema, and two documentaries. The nation honoured MT with the Padma Bhushan, the country's third-highest civilian award, in 2005.

In addition to the Padma award, MT has received the Jnanpith, Ezhuthachan Puraskaram, Vayalar Award, Kendra Sahitya Akademi Award, Kerala Sahitya Akademi Award, Vallathol Puraskaram, and JC Daniel Puraskaram, to name a few.

His screenplays for the film have won the national award four times and the state award 11 times. MT was adjudged the best film director three times in Kerala.

"With the passing of MT, we have lost a genius who had elevated Malayalam to the pinnacle of world literature. It is an irreplaceable loss for Kerala and the world of Malayalam literature," Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan said in his condolence message. 

The state government will observe two days of official mourning, on December 26 and 27, as a mark of respect for MT. Pinarayi has instructed the postponement of all government programmes, including the cabinet meeting scheduled for Thursday.

Madath Thekkepaattu Vasudevan Nair was born at Kudallur, then in Malappuram's Ponnanni taluk, on July 15, 1933. The village on the banks of Bharathapuzha river was later brought under the ambit of Pattambi taluk in Palakkad.

MT studied at Mamakkavu Elementary School, Kumaranellur High School and Victoria College in Palakkad. He started writing during his school days.

His elder brother, MT Narayanan Nair, and Akkitham Achuthan Namboothiri, his senior in school, influenced MT's reading and writing during his formative years. He initially penned poems before shifting to prose.

MT immersed himself in reading and writing during college. His first collection of stories, 'Raktham Puranda Mantharikal' (Blood-stained Grains of Sand), was published while he was still a student at Victoria College, Palakkad.  

He shot to prominence after his story 'Valarthumrugangal' (Pet Animals) won the first prize in the 1954 World Short Story Competition organised by the New York Herald Tribune.

After completing his college education, he briefly worked as a maths teacher and 'gramasevakan' at a block development office at Thaliparamba in Kannur. In 1957, he joined the Mathrubhumi Weekly as a sub-editor.

'Naalukettu' (The House Around the Courtyard with Four Pillars, in English translation) was MT's first major novel, published as a book. The novel won the Kerala Sahitya Akademi Award.  

MT gave a new direction to literary journalism in Malayalam. He is often credited with encouraging and publishing the first works of many writers who later became towering personalities in Malayalam literature.

In 1965, MT debuted in Malayalam cinema with the screenplay for 'Murappennu', directed by A Vincent. His first directorial venture, 'Nirmalyam', won him the President's Gold Medal for the best feature film. PJ Antony, who portrayed a temple oracle in the movie, won the national award for the best actor for the role.

From then on, MT wrote screenplays for more than 50 movies, several of which won national and state awards and were commercially successful.

Kalam, Nalukettu, Asuravithu, Randamoozham, Manju, Pathiraavum Pakal Velichavum, Iruttinte Athmaavu, Olavum Theeravum, Kuttyedathi, Swargam Thurakkunna Samayam, Vanaprastham, Dar-es-Salaam, Arabi Ponnu (with NP Mohammed), Ninte Ormakku (stories), Murappennu, Kadhikante Kalam, and Kadhikante Panippura (collection of essays) are some of his major literary works.