• M.T. Vasudevan Nair, the legendary Malayalam writer and filmmaker, passed away in Kozhikode on December 25. He was 91.

• President Droupadi Murmu, Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Leader of the Opposition in Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi condoled over the demise of the legendary writer.

• Popularly known as M.T, the author is celebrated for his evocative storytelling, exploring human emotions and the complexities of life.

Malayalam literary giant

• Born in 1933 in Kudallur, a small village in the Palakkad district of what was then the Malabar region under British rule, MT was immersed in the serene beauty and rich traditions of Kerala’s rural life during his formative years.

• 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 a career that spanned more than seven decades, MT crafted a literary world that resonated with both everyday readers and intellectuals alike.

• His novel ‘Naalukettu’ (The Ancestral House), transformed Malayalam literature, offering a striking depiction of the decline of matrilineal joint-family systems. The novel established him as a literary icon and is considered a classic in Malayalam literature.

• In works like ‘Randamoozham’ (The Second Turn), a retelling of the Mahabharata from Bhima’s viewpoint, MT showcased his remarkable talent for humanising mythological characters and reinterpreting epic tales.

• Over the years, he authored several acclaimed works, including ‘Asuravithu’, ‘Manju’, and ‘Kaalam’.

• M.T was awarded the highest literary honour of Jnanpith in 1995. 

• He was honoured with the Padma Bhushan in 2005. 

• He won the Kerala Sahitya Akademi award in 1959 and 1978, the Kendra Sahitya Akademi award in 1970, and Vayalar Award in 1984.

• As a filmmaker and screenwriter, MT created iconic films that blended literary excellence with visual storytelling.

• His directorial debut, ‘Nirmalyam’, remains a classic, having won the National Film Award for Best Feature Film.

• MT’s legacy in cinema is unparalleled. He directed six films and penned over 50 screenplays, many of which are regarded as classics, including ‘Oru Vadakkan Veeragatha’, ‘Kadavu’, and ‘Sadayam’.

• MT’s screenplays reflected the cultural and social crises of Kerala, delving into themes of alienation, identity, and the disintegration of human relationships. His works like ‘Kanyakumari’, ‘Varikkuzhi’, ‘Thazhvaram’, and ‘Perumthachan’ stand as testaments to his genius. 

• MT 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 this category.

Manorama Yearbook app is now available on Google Play Store and iOS App Store