Published Dec 20, 2024 | 1:02 PM ⚊ Updated Dec 20, 2024 | 3:11 PM
MT Vasudevan Nair. (Supplied)
The renowned Indian writer, filmmaker, and scenarist MT Vasudevan Nair is reportedly in critical condition. The writer is undergoing treatment at a hospital in Kerala’s Kozhikode.
On Friday, 20 December, the 91-year-old MT suffered a cardiac arrest. According to the medical bulletin released by the hospital, his condition is said to be very critical.
MT was admitted to a private hospital in Kozhikode on 17 December. He is also suffering from respiratory problems. He is presently under the observation of expert doctors.
Sources close to him requested not to circulate any other speculations.
The patriarch of Malayalam literature, MT is undoubtedly the most prolific among Malayalam novelists and writers. He excelled as a filmmaker, scenarist, and literary journalist.
His first major novel Naalukettu (Ancestral Home- translated to English as The Legacy), written at the age of 23, won the Kerala Sahitya Akademi Award in 1958. His other novels include Manju (Mist), Kaalam (Time), Asuravithu (The Prodigal Son – translated to English as The Demon Seed) and Randamoozham (‘The Second Turn’ translated to English as ‘Bhima – Lone Warrior’ ).
MT, apart from contributing immensely to Malayalam literature, also carved for himself a niche space in the Malayalam tinsel world by penning and directing several highly popular movies.
He has directed seven films and written the screenplay for around 54 films. He won the National Film Award for Best Screenplay four times for: Oru Vadakkan Veeragatha (1989), Kadavu (1991), Sadayam (1992), and Parinayam (1994), which is the most by anyone in the screenplay category.
As a long-time editor of The Mathrubhumi, he played a significant role in finding, nourishing, and positioning promising Malayalam writers after him. He did it with sheer passion and dedication, and his blue-pencilling polished the works of newcomers, making them shine in the galaxy of litterateurs.
He has won several state, national, and international awards for literature and films. The honours include the Padma Bhushan, the Jnanpith in 1996, and the Kerala and Kendra Sahitya Academy awards.
(Edited by Sumavarsha, with inputs from Sreelakshmi Soman)
