Wed Dec 25 20:02:33 UTC 2024: ## Eminent Malayalam Writer and Filmmaker M.T. Vasudevan Nair Passes Away at 91
**Kozhikode, Kerala:** Renowned Malayalam writer and filmmaker M.T. Vasudevan Nair passed away on Wednesday night at the age of 91. He breathed his last at a private hospital in Kozhikode due to a heart attack following a prolonged illness. His funeral will be held on Thursday evening at the Mavur Road crematorium.
Nair, a literary giant and recipient of numerous prestigious awards including the Jnanpith Award, Padma Bhushan, and Ezhuthachan Puraskaram, leaves behind a rich legacy in both literature and cinema. He penned over 50 screenplays, directed several critically acclaimed films, including the National Award-winning “Nirmalyam,” and also served as a teacher and journalist for Mathrubhumi, a prominent Malayalam daily. His contributions extend to song writing as well, having penned lyrics for five songs in two films.
His career spanned decades, starting with his early success in a short story competition organized by Mathrubhumi in the 1950s. His first novel, “Nalukettu,” published in 1958, won the Kerala Sahitya Akademi Award, followed by other accolades for works like “Svargathoorakunnu Samayam” and “Gopuranadhayil.” His influence on Malayalam literature and cinema is immeasurable, with novels like “Randamoozham” and “Vanaprastham” achieving iconic status.
Nair’s cinematic journey began with writing the screenplay for “Murappen,” and he went on to become a celebrated filmmaker, earning several National Film Awards for films such as “Kadavu,” “Oru Vadakkan Veeragatha,” and “Sadayam.” He also served as the chairman of the Kerala Sahitya Akademi and editor of Mathrubhumi publications. The Calicut University conferred him with an honorary doctorate (D.Litt.) in 1996.
He is survived by his wife, Kalamandir Saraswati, and two daughters. The Malayalam literary and film world mourns the loss of a towering figure who significantly shaped the cultural landscape of Kerala.
First Piper 