Vasudevan Nair, popularly known as MT, is considered one of the most successful writers of novels and screenplays in Malayalam. He has also directed essays, short stories, travelogues and films.
Following his demise, the Kerala government has declared official mourning on December 26 and 27 in honor of MT Vasudevan Nair, according to a statement from the Chief Minister’s Office (CMO).
Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan has ordered the postponement of all government events, including the cabinet meeting on December 26, as a mark of respect, the statement added.
MT was born in 1933 in Kudallur, a small village of Anakkara Panchayat in Pattambi Taluk of Palakkad District. At the age of 20, while studying chemistry, he won the award for best short story in Malayalam in the World Short Story Competition organized by The New York Herald Tribune.
His first major novel, Nalukettu (Ancestral Home – translated into English as The Legacy), written at the age of 23, won the Kerala Sahitya Akademi Award in 1958. His other novels include Manju (Mist), Kalam (Time), Asuravithu (Time). Prodigal Son – translated into English as The Demon Seed, and Randamoozham (‘The Second Turn’ translated into English. ‘Bheem – the lone warrior’).
The deeply emotional experiences of his early life significantly influenced his work. Many of his novels focus on the traditional family structure and culture of Kerala, many of which have played an important role in the history of Malayalam literature.
His three main novels on the life of a matriarchal family in Kerala – Nalukettu, Asuravithu, and Kalam – are widely considered to be among his best works. Randamoozham, a retelling of the Mahabharata story from Bhimsen’s perspective, is considered his masterpiece.
MT directed seven films and wrote screenplays for about 54 films. He won the National Film Award for Best Screenplay four times for Oru Vadakkan Veeragatha (1989), Kadavu (1991), Sadayam (1992), and Parinayam (1994), the most in the screenplay category. He was awarded the prestigious Jnanpeeth Award in 1995 for his overall contribution to Malayalam literature.
In 2005, MT was awarded the Padma Bhushan, India’s third-highest civilian award. He received many other honors including the Central Sahitya Akademi Award, Kerala Sahitya Akademi Award, Vaylar Award, Vallathol Award, Ejuthachan Award, Matrubhumi Sahitya Award, and ONV Sahitya Award. In 2013, he was awarded the JC Daniels Award for Lifetime Achievement in Malayalam Cinema.
He worked as the editor of Mathrubhumi Illustrated Weekly for many years.
In 2022, MT was awarded the first Kerala Jyoti Award, the highest civilian award given by the Government of Kerala.