Malayalam writer MT Vasudevan Nair. file. | Photo credit: S. Mahinsha
A man of words that will last for posterity, a maker of films that will remain forever etched in the collective psyche of Malayalis, MT Vasudevan Nair was all these and more. When the genius passed away on Christmas Day at the age of 91, Malayalam literature lost its best report.
A prolific writer, delving into raw and complex human emotions and interactions, MT held up a mirror to his fellow Malayalis, as he was addressed with respect and affection in MT, Kerala and elsewhere. He made them look at their past and present with fresh eyes. His voluminous output will stand the test of time and become everyone’s favorite MT book or movie.
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Amidst this varied work, his interpretations of old songs which provided new versions for Malabar and Kerala to watch ‘Chadiyan’ Chandu. Oru Vadakkan Veeragathatouched my heart Humanizing the traitor in popular fiction and fantasy, and making us empathize with and find value in him, is a difficult endeavor. But MT’s writing, Hariharan’s direction and Mammootty’s acting offered a timeless classic.
It was common for MT to step into everyone’s shoes and find out how they behaved and why they behaved the way they did. Sympathy was a permanent trait in him and it fleshed out his characters, gave them an arc, helped readers and viewers invest in their minds. Also his much acclaimed novel Randamuzham Presented Bhima’s point of view. Breaking traditional narrative methods and exploring new ideas drove MT forward.
Versatile and flexible, MT gave a twist to wild western Hollywood movies when he wrote the script. Thajwaram. Directed by Bharathan, it was a revenge saga in which the hero and villain played a game of cat and mouse in a rugged hilly terrain. This minimalism was mixed with a larger-than-life touch. Mohan Lal and Salim Ghaus were excellent and the fun atmosphere led to an explosive climax.
The films and books mentioned above are only a small sample of MT’s extensive work. But they also reflect his range and skill. The loss is deeply personal for Kozhikode, where he made his home. After defeating Vaikom Muhammad Bashir in 1994, three decades later, the coastal trading city faces the departure of another great. MT’s words and films will always be the umbilical cord that binds us to him.
published – Dec 26, 2024 at 05:44 pm IST