M.T. Vasudevan Nair is a prominent figure in Malyalam literature. He has been a master of creative arts like writing, directing and screenplay writing. On December 20, 2024, M.T. Vasudevan Nair was reported to be in critical condition due to breathing difficulties and heart-related issues. On 25 December 2024, at 10 pm he passed away. He was hospitalized at Baby Memorial Hospital in Kozhikode for several days and is currently under observation in the ICU.
M.T. Vasudevan Nair Age
M.T. Vasudevan Nair was born on 13 July 1933. As of 2024, he is 91 years old.
M.T. Vasudevan Nair Biography
| Full Name | Madath Thekkepaattu Vasudevan Nair |
| Date of Birth | 13 July 1933 |
| Date of Death | 25 December 2024 |
| Birth Place | Kudallur, Kerala |
| Height | Not Known |
| Weight | Not Known |
| Zodiac Sign | Cancer |
| Education | Malamakkavu Elementary School, Kumaranelloor High School, Degree in Chemistry from Victoria College, Palakkad |
| Profession | Author, Screenplay writer and film director |
| Marital Status | Married |
| Social Media | X |
M.T. Vasudevan Nair Family
M.T. Vasudevan Nair was born to T. Narayanan Nair and Ammalu Amma in Palakkad, Kerala. He was the youngest of four children. Details about his siblings is not much amplified though.
M.T. Vasudevan Nair married twice. His first marriage was with writer Prameela. They had a daughter Sithara. Their marriage couldn’t last more than 11 years. Kalamandalam Saraswathy, his second wife is an dance artist. Their daughter Aswathy Nair followed her mother’s path.
| See also: Indra Soundar Rajan Biography |
M.T. Vasudevan Nair Early Life & Career
M.T. Vasudevan started writing at a early age, inspired by his elder brothers. He took science stream because it was easy getting a job with that degree. During his college years, he began writing seriously; at the age of 20, he won a prize for the best short story in Malayalam at a competition organized by The New York Herald Tribune.
After his graduation, he started teaching. M.T.’s literary career took off with his debut novel Naalukettu (translated as The Legacy), published in 1958 when he was just 23 years old. This novel explores the decline of a traditional joint family system in Kerala and has been recognized as a classic in Malayalam literature.
Other notable works include:
- Manju (Mist)
- Kaalam (Time)
- Asuravithu (The Prodigal Son)
- Randamoozham (The Second Turn), which retells the Mahabharata from Bhima’s perspective and is considered his masterpiece.
In addition to his literary achievements, M.T. has made significant contributions to Malayalam cinema as a screenplay writer and director. He has written the screenplays for approximately 54 films and directed seven films, earning acclaim for his storytelling abilities. Notable films include:
- Nirmalyam (1973), which won the Indian President’s Gold Medal for Best Film
- Kadavu (1991)
- Oru Vadakkan Veeragatha (1989)
M.T.’s influence extends beyond writing; he has held various positions within film organizations and educational institutions like Film and Television Institute, Pune.
M. T. Vasudevan Nair Death
On 25 December 2024, M. T. Vasudevan Nair breathed his last in a hospital in Kozhikode, Kerala. He was admitted some days back because of difficulty in breathing. His funeral will held on Thursday at 5 pm. The Kerala state government has declared a state of mourning on 26 and 27 December.
M.T. Vasudevan Nair Income & Net Worth
M.T. Vasudevan Nair’s net worth and income is not documented online. He may have a substantial net worth because of his extensive career as a writer, screenwriter, and director. Nair may be earning monthly good income from his books royalties.
M.T. Vasudevan Nair Awards & Recognitions
M.T. Vasudevan Nair has received numerous awards & accolades in his lifetime. Some of the notable ones are:
National Film Awards
- Best Screenplay (4 times):
- Oru Vadakkan Veeragatha (1989)
- Kadavu (1991)
- Sadayam (1992)
- Parinayam (1994)
- Best Film: Nirmalyam (1973)
- Best Feature Film in Malayalam: Kadavu (1991)
- Best Film on Environment Conservation: Oru Cheru Punchiri (2000)
Literary Awards
- Jnanpith Award (1995): India’s highest literary honor, awarded for his novel Randamoozham.
- Kerala Sahitya Akademi Award: For various works including Naalukettu (1958) and Kaalam (1970).
- Vayalar Award (1985): For Randamoozham.
- Ezhuthachan Award (2011): Recognizing his significant contributions to Malayalam literature.
- Sahitya Akademi Fellowship (2013): Acknowledging his lifetime achievements in literature
Honorary Recognitions
- Padma Bhushan (2005): The third highest civilian award in India.
- Honorary Doctorates from multiple universities including:
- University of Calicut (1996)
- Mahatma Gandhi University (1996)
- Netaji Subhas Open University (2008)
- Kerala Jyothi Award (2022): The highest civilian honor from the Kerala Government
M.T. Vasudevan Nair Controversies
- Nair has faced accusations of plagiarism related to his literary work. He has been criticized for allegedly borrowing ideas from other writers without proper attribution.
- Nair is embroiled in legal disputes concerning the film adaptation of his work Randamoozham. He has sought to reclaim the script rights amid allegations regarding its production. His daughter has publicly stated that the matter is currently under judicial consideration.
FAQs
M.T. Vasudevan Nair is married to dance artist Kalamandalam Saraswathy.
Here’s the list of books written by M.T. Vasudevan Nair.
M.T. Vasudevan Nair was born on 15 July 1933.
M.T. Vasudevan Nair house is located at Sithara, Kottaram Road, Nadakkavu, Kozhikode.
Naalukettu is M.T. Vasudevan’s first novel which was published in 1958.
M. T. Vasudevan Nair passed away on 25 December 2024 at a private hospital in Kozhikode, Kerala.