MT Vasudevan Nair No other writer has captured Malayali life in such totality, says writer Sara Joseph

MT Vasudevan Nair Photo credit: PTI

MT Vasudevan Nair was not only a writer; He was a master storyteller who captured the heart and soul of Malayali life with unparalleled depth and clarity. His writings provide an extraordinary portrayal of the history and culture of Kerala, reflecting not only the sentiments of the people, but also the sweeping social changes over the years.

With remarkable insight, he often delved into life through complex experiences within the feudal family framework of his period. In his famous novel do not hideHe depicts the life of a boy trapped in a world of darkness, poverty and despair. His development reflects the wider socio-economic changes in Kerala society. The transformation of the traditional naluketu, a symbol of the feudal era, into a modern nuclear family structure is a symbol of the social restructuring taking place at that time. No other writer has represented the development of Malayali life in such totality.

His characters were so powerful that they shook the conscience of the society. His language was different, and his portrayal of relationships was deeply moving. Even while portraying the confused, complicated and confused mindset of the youth, he managed to instill in them a sense of resilience and a will to fight against all odds. His influence on the Malayali psyche was immense, contributing significantly to the development of the community’s philosophy and culture.

MT gave us the experience of re-reading myths and folklore. He reconstructed mythological characters to reflect contemporary reality. His famous characters like Bhiman Randamuzham And within Chandu Oru Vadakkan VeeragathaThis creative reimagining became an iconic representation.

He is an extraordinary talent who has excelled in every field he has pursued — author, journalist, film director, and screenwriter — consistently proving his talent. With an unparalleled ability to thrive in any endeavor, his many awards, including the prestigious Jnanpith, celebrate his extraordinary success.

He had unwavering determination and executed his decisions with conviction. I had the privilege of serving on the executive committee when he was president of the Kerala Sahitya Akademi, a position he held twice. He did not leave any opportunity for controversy. No political leader was allowed to interfere in the functioning of the academy.

In the context of Thunchanparambu, MT not only preserved Malayalam literature and culture in the name of Thunchath Ejuthachan, the father of modern Malayalam literature, but made the place secular-democratic and accessible to all people, without caste, creed, or gender. He emerged as a staunch defender of Thunchanparambu’s secular values.

He was decisive in expressing his stand on socio-political issues. I had the opportunity to accompany him in the peace campaign after the Marad riots and the team that went to Muthanga after the police firing. His remarks about the “deteriorating state of politics” left a powerful impression on society.

He was an insatiable reader, unsurpassed in his pursuit of knowledge. Always updated, he bridges the whole world with Malayalam.

In fact, death once tried to claim his life some time ago, but he made a remarkable comeback, coming back stronger than ever and continuing his writing with renewed vigor. He lived a full life, marked by success and dignity. His death has caused a great loss to the society. However, he has left an invaluable legacy through his immense contribution to Malayalam language, history, cinema and culture. No other writer in Malayalam has received the respect, love and respect like MT Vasudevan Nair.

(as told to Minnie Mooringthery)