Renowned Malayalam writer and Jnanpith award winner MT Vasudevan Nair, a towering figure in Indian literature and cinema, passed away on Wednesday at a private hospital in Kerala following heart failure. He was 91.

“MT has died,” a hospital source confirmed to PTI without providing further details.

The office of Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan also acknowledged the news, expressing deep sorrow over the demise of the literary icon. Vasudevan Nair had been under the care of a multidisciplinary team of specialists since his hospitalisation last week.

A literary giant

Madath Thekkepat Vasudevan Nair, fondly known as MT, leaves behind a legacy that spans over seven decades in literature and cinema. His works, often rooted in the agrarian life of Kerala’s Valluvanad region, drew inspiration from his childhood along the banks of the Nila river (Bharathapuzha).

MT’s novels such as Naalukettu, Asuravithu, and Kaalam vividly portrayed the transformation of Hindu matrilineal families in the region, with characters reflecting the cultural and social dilemmas of the times.

“Characters, their predicaments — that’s what inspires me. The crossroads they find themselves in — they trouble us,” he told The Indian Express in 2023.

An illustrious career

MT’s debut novel, Naalukettu, earned him the Kerala Sahitya Akademi Award in 1959 at the age of 23. He continued to garner accolades with works like Kaalam, which won the Kendra Sahitya Akademi Award in 1969, and Randamoozham in 1984, cementing his place as one of India’s greatest writers.

He also made significant contributions to Malayalam cinema, directing seven films and scripting 45. His directorial debut, Nirmalyam (1973), won the National Award for Best Feature Film. His scripts, starting with Murappennu in 1965, became the backbone of several critically and commercially successful films.

Remembering MT

Over his illustrious career, MT authored iconic novels, three travelogues, a play, and numerous essays. His last novel, Varanasi, was published in 2002.

Chief Minister Vijayan described MT as a literary genius whose works reflected Kerala’s ethos and culture.

“With MT Vasudevan Nair’s passing, we’ve lost a doyen of Malayalam literature who elevated our language to global heights. A true cultural icon, he captured the soul of Kerala through his timeless works. His steadfast commitment to secularism and humanity leaves behind a legacy that will inspire generations. Heartfelt condolences to his family and the cultural community,” he said in a post on X.