Legendary Malayalam Filmmaker MT Vasudevan Nair Passes Away At 91

Kozhikode: MT Vasudevan Nair, the renowned Malayalam filmmaker, director and writer, died at a private hospital on Wednesday at the age of 91. Nair was undergoing treatment at a private hospital in Kozhikode due to a heart ailment earlier this month. MT Vasudevan Nair was the winner of the Jnanpith Awards. 

According to reports, the doctors confirmed his death at around 10 pm on Wednesday. Reportedly, MT had been admitted to the hospital on December 16 due to respiratory issues and had been in critical condition. Doctors had reported that his body was responding to treatment, which had raised hopes of recovery, but on Wednesday evening, he passed away.

Meanwhile, after the sudden death of Nair, the Kerala government has declared official mourning on December 26 and 27 to honour the legendary Malayalam film director. Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan has directed the postponement of all government events, including the Cabinet meeting scheduled for December 26, as a mark of respect, the CMO said in a statement.

Popularly called MT, the master of novels, short stories, screenplays, children's literature, travel writing, and essays, was awarded the Padma Bhushan, the country's third-highest civilian award.

MT was a legendary figure in Malayalam literature, having written nine novels, and 19 short story collections, and directed six films. He is best known for his novel Naalukettu (The Ancestral House), a classic in Malayalam literature. Other notable works include Asuravithu, Manju, and Kaalam.

He was awarded the prestigious Jnanpith Award in 1995, the highest honour in Indian literature, and many other awards during his lifetime, including the Kendra Sahitya Akademi Award, Kerala Sahitya Akademi Award, and the Padma Bhushan in 2005. He was also honoured with the JC Daniel Award for lifetime achievement in Malayalam cinema in 2013 and received the Kerala Jyothi Award in 2022.

In addition to his literary work, MT also served as the editor of Mathrubhumi Weekly for many years. His writings explored modern themes through complex characters, and his influence on Malayalam literature and cinema was profound.

His death has left a huge void in the cultural world. Kerala Governor Arif Mohammed Khan expressed his condolences, calling MT a genius who enriched literature, cinema, and journalism. Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan described his passing as an irreplaceable loss to both Kerala and the world of Malayalam literature.

MT was born in 1933 in Kudallur, a small village in Kerala. He spent his early life in this rural area, which had a lasting influence on his work. MT began his career as a teacher and later worked as a sub-editor at Mathrubhumi Weekly, where he made a significant mark in journalism.

His last rites will be held at 5 pm on Thursday at the Mavoor Road crematorium. People will be able to pay their respects at his residence until 4 pm on Thursday.