Noted Malayalam writer and Jnanpith award winner M.T. Vasudevan Nair breathed his last at a private hospital in Kozhikode on Wednesday night. He was 91.
M.T., as he is popularly known, had been under the care of a multidisciplinary team of specialists, including cardiologists and critical care experts, since his hospitalisation last week.
In a literary career spanning seven decades, M.T. authored nine novels, 19 collections of short stories, directed six films and wrote around 54 screenplays besides publishing several collections of essays and memoirs.
Celebrated for his evocative storytelling and lyrical nostalgia, M.T. made significant contributions to literature across various forms, including novels, short stories, and screenplays. His narrative techniques, particularly in Randamoozham, which reinterpreted the Mahabharata from Bhima's perspective, challenged conventional storytelling and inspired contemporary writers to explore new dimensions in their narratives.
M.T.'s novels explore profound themes, often delving into complex family dynamics and the emotional struggles within them. His works reflect on familial ties, societal expectations, and the interplay of love and death. This is particularly evident in 'Manju', where waiting becomes a poignant metaphor for unfulfilled desires. He also addressed the decline of matrilineal structures in Kerala, portraying the socio-economic changes that disrupted traditional lifestyles.
His narratives frequently feature characters grappling with identity and purpose amid societal transitions, highlighting themes of resilience and self-discovery. Unlike earlier literature, which often focused on social conflicts like class struggles and communal tensions, M.T.'s works emphasizse introspection and personal conflict. This shift paved the way for contemporary writers to explore individual experiences within changing cultural norms.
The Valluvanadan landscape and the river Nila, played a crucial role in M.T.'s novels, serving both as a backdrop and a character that influences the narrative. Nila symboliszes the ebb and flow of life, reflecting the transient nature of human experiences.
M.T. also made significant contributions as an editor, particularly at Mathrubhumi Weekly. Joining the publication in 1957 as a sub-editor, he became its editor in 1981 and held the position until 1999. During his tenure, he revitalised the magazine by encouraging emerging writers and publishing diverse literary works, fostering a vibrant literary community.
Believing in editorial integrity, M.T. refrained from publishing his own stories to avoid bias. His leadership not only shaped Mathrubhumi but also influenced Malayalam literary journalism, establishing a platform for future literary talents.
In 1995, M.T. Vasudevan Nair was honoured with the Jnanpith Award, India's highest literary accolade. In 2005, he received the Padma Bhushan and was also the recipient of multiple Kerala Sahitya Akademi Awards. He won the National Film Award for screenplay four times and Kerala State Film Awards for screenplay 11 times.
Naalukettu, Asuravithu, Manju, and Kaalam are some of his most acclaimed works. M.T. won Jnanpith Award, India's highest literary honour, in 1995. He was awarded Padma Bhushan, India’s third-highest civilian honour, in 2005. M.T.'s films are regarded as masterpieces, showcasing his ability to merge compelling narratives with visual storytelling. He won the National Film Award for Best Screenplay a record four times, for 'Oru Vadakkan Veeragatha' (1989), 'Kadavu' (1991), 'Sadayam' (1992), and 'Parinayam' (1994).
"It is an irreparable loss not only to Kerala in general but also to the world of Malayalam literature," Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan said in a statement. Vijayan said the brilliance that brought Malayalam literature to the forefront of world literature is what we have lost with the passing of M T Vasudevan Nair.
