Malayalam writer MT Vasudevan Nair. file. , Photo Courtesy: S Mahinsha
MT Vasudevan Nair A man of words that will endure for generations to come, a maker of films that are forever etched in the collective psyche of the Malayalees, MT Vasudevan Nair was all this and more. When this genius passed away on Christmas Day at the age of 91, Malayalam literature lost one of its finest exponents.
A prolific writer, deeply delving into raw and complex human emotions and interactions, MT, as he was fondly and respectfully addressed in Kerala and elsewhere, was a mirror to his fellow Malayalees. He forced them to look at their past and present with new eyes. His vast output will stand the test of time and everyone will have their favorite MT book or film.
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Among this diverse body of work, his interpretations of old ballads which introduced a new version to Malabar and Kerala look at ‘Chadhiyan’ Chandu. oru vadakkan heroic storyIt was mind boggling. Humanizing a traitor in popular stories and imagination, and making us sympathize with him and find value in him, is a difficult endeavor. But MT’s writing, Hariharan’s direction and Mammootty’s acting, deliver a timeless classic.
It was typical of MT to step into everyone’s shoes and find out how they behaved and why they behaved that way. Empathy was an enduring quality of his and it fleshed out his characters, giving them an arc, helping readers and viewers invest in their minds. Even his highly acclaimed novel Randomoozham Presented Bhima’s point of view. Breaking traditional narrative patterns and finding a new idea pushed MT forward.
Versatile and flexible, MT gave it a twist by writing scripts for Wild Western Hollywood films ThajvaramDirected by Bharat, it was a revenge saga in which the hero and villain played a game of cat and mouse in the rugged mountainous terrain. It was minimalism mixed with a larger than life touch. Mohan Lal and Salim Ghosh were excellent and the contemplative atmosphere led to an explosive climax.
The above films and one book are just a small sample of MT’s entire body of work. But they also show his range and skills. For Kozhikode, which he made his home, the loss is deeply personal. Three decades after losing Vaikom Muhammad Bashir in 1994, this coastal trading town faced the departure of another great man. MT’s words and films will be the umbilical cord that will keep us connected to him forever.
published – December 26, 2024 05:44 am IST
