Veteran of Malayalam literature and cinema M. T. Vasudevan Nair passed away at the age of 91. He was admitted to a hospital in Kozhikode a few days ago due to respiratory problems, where he breathed his last.
Born in 1933 in Kerala’s Palakkad district, Nair developed a love for reading from an early age, although reading was not encouraged in his family. He graduated in chemistry and taught mathematics at school for a while. Later he worked as sub-editor in the prestigious ‘Matribhumi’ weekly and soon established himself as a writer and editor.
Nair’s novel ‘Naluketu’ (Four Blocks) won the highest literary honor in Kerala in 1959. His novel ‘Randamuzam’ (The Second Turn) retells the Mahabharata from Bhima’s point of view, which is considered a classic of Indian literature.
He received several awards for his contribution to the field of literature, including the ‘Jnanpith’ award, India’s highest literary honour.
Besides literature, Nair also contributed significantly to Malayalam cinema as a screenwriter and director. He is particularly famous for his screenplay for the film ‘Oru Vadakkan Veergatha’, in which he retells a 16th-century folk tale from Kerala.
Many dignitaries have expressed grief over Nair’s demise. Malayalam superstar praised his dialogue writing.
Nair’s death has created a huge void in Indian literature and cinema. His work will always be remembered by his readers and viewers.