Mumbai: As the world was enveloped in the serene glow of festive lights on a silent Christmas night, a literary giant took his final bow. The passing of MT Vasudevan Nair, or MT, a master of post-Independence Indian literature, at Baby Memorial Hospital, Kozhikode, Kerala, has left a profound void in the literary world.

MT passed away on Wednesday night, December 25^th, and his mortal remains arrived at his home on Thursday midnight, triggering a wave of mourning across the nation. People from all walks of life, deeply touched by his literary contributions, flocked to Sithara, his house on Kottaram Road, to pay their last respects.

Furthermore, the Kerala government declared two days of mourning to honour the legend. As per his wish, his body will not be publicly viewed.

The atmosphere at his home was sombre, in stark contrast to last year when he turned 90, and people visited his house to celebrate MT’s birthday and wish him health and happiness.

A cascade of prestigious awards

MT, a multifaceted personality, was a literary powerhouse. His contributions to literature were recognised with the prestigious Jnanpith Award in 1995 and the Padma Bhushan in 2005, the country’s third-highest civilian honour. Over his six-decade-long writing career, he was adorned with numerous other esteemed literary awards, including the Kendra Sahitya Akademi Award, Kerala Sahitya Akademi Award, Vayalar Award, Vallathol Award, Ezhuthachan Award, Mathrubhumi Literary Award, and O.N.V. Literary Award.

In 2013, he received the J.C. Daniel Award for Lifetime Achievement in Malayalam Cinema. In 2022, he was given the inaugural Kerala Jyothi Award, the Kerala government’s highest civilian accolade.

Crafted compelling screenplays and created critically acclaimed films

MT was also well-known in Malayalam cinema as one of the most successful storywriters. His screenplay garnered him four national film awards, the most by anyone.

He directed seven films and wrote the screenplay for 54 films. When he collaborated with master filmmaker Hariharan, the result was one of the biggest hits, including films like Panchangni, Oru Vadeken Veeragatha, and Amrutham Gamaya.

His debut film, ‘Nirmalayam’, as a director, won the national award for the best feature film.

In his lifetime, he won four National Film Awards for screenplay and directed seven films. His screenplays are available in book form and are considered essential reading for aspiring filmmakers.

Early life, career and his thoughts on facing mortality

Madath Thekkepaattu Vasudevan Nair was born on July 15, 1933, in Kudallur, a tiny hamlet in Palakkad District. His birthplace was in Malabar District, then part of the British Raj’s Madras Presidency. He was the youngest of four children born to T. Narayanan Nair and Ammalu Amma.

MT had once written Mathrubhumi how he had defied death all his life. From the time when he was in his mother’s womb when the village doctor advised his frail and ailing mother to end her pregnancy to the times when he suffered a head injury due to an accident and the serious health issues, he battled throughout his life. However, he never feared death as, for him, it was a slice of life, a celebration of existence.

Armed with a degree in Chemistry in 1953 from Victoria College in Palakkad, he began his career as a teacher. He taught mathematics at Pattambi Board High School and Chavakkad Board High School for over a year and worked at M.B. Tutorial College, Palakkad, for a year in the mid-fifties.  He then worked as a gramasevakan at a block development office in Taliparamba, Kannur, for a few weeks before joining Mathrubhumi Weekly as a subeditor in 1957.

A rich tapestry of his surroundings that inspired his literary style and themes

MT was born and raised in the sylvan surroundings of a village on the banks of river Nila, also known as Bharathappuzha or Ponnani. The writer frequently acknowledged his connection to the ethos of his village and to Nila, which had always been the source of his creative inspiration. Hence, Nila appears and re-appears in Nair’s fiction as a presence and as a symbol, endorsing this view. Therefore, it is no surprise that his works, known for their depths and sensitivity, won him many awards.

Twice married, MT leaves behind daughter Sithara from his first marriage to Prameela, his second wife Kalamandalam Saraswathy and their daughter Aswathy Nair.

Today, as his family, fans and friends bid him farewell with a heavy heart, they celebrate a life rich in creativity and profound impact. Undoubtedly, his legacy will continue to inspire generations.