TRIBUTE TO MT

MT's early years in Kozhikode: A journey of literary friendship, growth, and creativity

Kozhikode: MT began his career as a journalist trainee at Mathrubhumi Weekly during NV Krishna Warrier's tenure as its editor. After a year, he had the opportunity to shift to the newspaper, which would have come with a significant salary hike. However, MT chose to stay with the weekly. One key reason was the access it provided to international magazines like TIME and Newsweek—publications that were nearly impossible to find elsewhere in Kozhikode at the time.

In Kozhikode, MT initially lived in a modest rented room behind a vegetarian hotel in Chalappuram. He later moved to a small house behind the prison, followed by two rooms on the upper floor of a house on Annie Hall Road. Eventually, he rented a house in St Vincent Colony for some time.

MT had known SK Pottekkatt long before arriving in Kozhikode, and their bond grew stronger there. However, the actual turning point in his life came through his friendship with NP Mohammed. It was through NP that MT became part of Kozhikode's vibrant writers' collective. This group, which included literary stalwarts like Thikkodiyan, Uroob, KA Kodungallur, NN Kakkad, Pattathuvila Karunakaran, and MV Devan, etc., became a cornerstone of his creative life. Their camaraderie blossomed into enduring friendships.

The young members of this collective shared a deep respect for their elders but were also unafraid to tease each other in good humour. Everyone had a nickname: SK Pottekkatt was called "Prem Pottas" for his romantic flair, while PC Kuttikrishnan was dubbed "the old man." Thikkodiyan's name was affectionately shortened to "Thikku."

MT, a young man in half-trousers who often indulged in jalebi from Aryabhavan, quickly formed a close bond with Thikkodiyan. Reflecting on those days, he wrote: "They were my pillars of strength. They assured me that I wasn't alone in this world. When some random youngsters addressed me as 'mashe' while I walked through Mittai Theruvu, it filled me with the same profound sense of belonging and safety."

Books were a shared treasure between NP and MT, who often exchanged them. NP would frequently visit MT's room at Moosath Tutorial, where they would discuss their latest scribblings. The two friends spent countless hours strolling through Kozhikode's streets and along its beach, sharing ideas and nurturing each other's creativity.

During one such time, MT began co-writing Arabi Ponnu with NP initially as a pastime. Later, NP and MM Basheer ventured into publishing, operating from a small room on the third floor of a building on Court Road.

MT worked under NV Krishna Warrier at the Mathrubhumi Weekly for 13 years. Remarkably, they never had a single disagreement. MT only took over the editor's chair after Krishna Warrier left the publication.

Around this time, MT heard about Vaikom Muhammad Basheer coming to Kozhikode to write the screenplay for Ntuppuppakkoranendarnnu. Basheer was staying at Chandrakantham House, SK Pottekkatt's residence in Puthiyara. Accompanied by NP, MT went to meet him.

Seeing MT for the first time, Basheer remarked, "This young man? I know him! But he's so lean (noolan). I always imagined he'd be an imposing figure (gandan gadaghadiyan)." From that day on, Basheer affectionately called MT 'noolan,' while MT addressed Basheer as 'guro'(master).

Basheer's hospitality extended to chores, too. "Boys," he told MT and NP, "you'll stay here, cut vegetables, mix ingredients, and handle all the small tasks. You'll get good food in return." The duo gladly became regulars at Chandrakantham, where they mingled with literary giants like MV Devan, MA Abdul Rahman, V Abdulla, and even VKN, who occasionally joined the lively gatherings.

MT fondly recalled those days: "After finishing the kitchen chores, sharing meals, and indulging in endless chatter, NP and I would walk back from Puthiyara late at night. He would drop me at Annie Hall Road before continuing another naazhika (mile) to reach Kundungal. Those dusks filled with joy and even audacity... those nights echoing with laughter, and those informal days... Basheer, in his unique way, would suggest books: 'Vasu, you must read 'Jean-Christophe', or 'The Story of San Michele'...the golden days I've lost forever."