Renowned Malayalam writer and filmmaker MT Vasudevan Nair, affectionately known as MT, has passed away at the age of 91. He breathed his last on Wednesday at Baby Memorial Hospital in Kozhikode, where he had been undergoing treatment for 11 days following a cardiac arrest.
Born on July 15, 1933, in Cuddalore, MT Vasudevan Nair leaves behind a unique legacy in both literature and cinema. Renowned for his poignant depictions of nostalgia and human emotions, MT’s work encompasses novels, short stories, screenplays, children’s literature, travel writing, and essays.
MT authored iconic works such as the poignant classic of Malayalam cinema Nirmalayam and directed six films. His contribution to screenwriting was unparalleled, for which he received four National Awards and 11 Kerala State Awards.
He wrote screenplays for many popular films, including ‘Nirmalyam’, ‘Peruntachan’, ‘Randamoozham’ and ‘Amritham Gamaya’. He received many awards from across the country, including the Jnanpith (Gyanpith Puraskar) in 1996 and the Padma Bhushan in 2005.
Condoling his demise, Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan said, “It is an irreparable loss not only to Kerala in general but also to the world of Malayalam literature.”
Describing M.T. as a towering figure in the fields of short story writing, novel writing, screenplay writing, film direction, journalism, and cultural leadership, Vijayan said that through his works, he conveyed the beauty and complexity of Kerala’s life.
Condoling his demise, Governor Arif Mohammed Khan said the passing of M.T. marks a profound loss for both Malayalam and Indian literature.
MT had been married twice. He married writer and translator Prameela in 1965. They separated after 11 years of marriage. He had a daughter from this marriage, Sithara, who works as a business executive in the United States.
In 1977 he married dance artist Kalamandalam Saraswathy with whom he had a daughter, Aswathy Nair. Awasthy is a professional dancer. MT resided in Sithara, Kottaram Road, Kozhikode, named after his eldest daughter.
