M. T. Vasudevan Nair, one of the most respected Indian
writers today, was born on 15th july 1933 in Kudallur, a small village in
Palakkad district, Kerala. He rose to eminence through his well-crafted novels
and short stories in Malayalam whose romantic poignancy and tender portrayal of
the human condition endeared the author to his readers. He captured in subtle
detail the pain and anguish that marked the ebb of feudalism in Kerala in many
of his novels. A master storyteller, M.T made his way up to be honored with the
highest literary award the nation confers on a writer, the Jnanpith in 1995.
Prior to that, he had received many awards and accolades like both state and
center Sahitya Akademi Awards. He occupied and continues to occupy many
important and powerful positions in various literary bodies including the
presidentship of Kerala Sahitya Akademi and the chairmanship of Tunchan
Memorial Trust. The Library of Congress has in its collection sixty-two books,
mostly by M.T and some on him. Also, some of them are translations of his works
into English.
Novelist and Film Maker M.T. Vasudevan Nair
and journalist N.P. Damodaran during the shashtipoorthy celebrations of
Edasseri in Ponani, in the year 1966. M.T. Vasudevan Nair has been the Editor of
Mathrubhoomi Weekly for over two decades.
The essence of his work is self-suffering and its
emotional intensity and rhythms of love hold the readers sticking to him.The
story of Koodalloor village and Bharathapuzha are the most repeated and
favourite themes of M.T. Most of his stories show the wretched state of the
Nair families 'Nalukettu', 'Kaalam', 'Asuravithu', 'Manju', 'Randamoozham',
'Vilapayathra', 'Arabipponnu'(written with N.P. Muhammed), 'Pathiravum Pakal
Velichavum' are his novels. Around 18 short story collections are in his name
of which the most important are 'Olavum Theeravum','Kutyedathi', 'Ninte
Ormakku', 'Nashtapetta Dinangal', 'Iruttinte Aatmavu', 'Varikkuzhi',
'Dar-s-Salaam, 'Swargam Thurakkunna Samayam'. He acted as the Chief Editor of
the weekly Mathrubhumi and as the editor of the Mathrubhumi periodicals. Won
the Jnanapeedam award in 1996. On the 2nd of June 1996 he was bestowed with
honourary D.Lit degree by the Calicut University. 'Randamoozham' bagged the
Vayalar award in 1985. 'Swargam Thurakkunna Samayam' bagged the Kerala Sahithya
Academy award in 1986. 'Kalam' gained the Kendra Sahithya Academy in 1970 and
'Nalukettu' the Kerala Sahithya Academy award. M.T. also gained the Padmarajan
prize for short story. The films 'Nirmalyam', 'Bandhanam', 'Varikkuzhi',
'Manju' and 'Kadavu' were written and directed by him. Of these 'Nirmalyam' had
gained the national award for best film. The other four movies bagged the state
awards. Bagged the award for best screenplay writer several times.
AWARDS
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Iruttinde
Atmavu - winner of President's Silver Medal
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Literary
Criticism
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Parinayam
- Best Film - J.C. Daniel Award - 1994
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Kadavu
- Best Film - 1991
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Oru
Vadakkan Veera Gaadha - Best Film - 1989
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Purushartham
- Best Film - 1987
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Oridathu
- Best Film - 1986
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Chithamparam
- Best Film - 1985
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Ente
Mamattikuttyammakku - Best Film - 1983
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Elippathayam
- Best Film - 1981
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Oppol
- Best Film 1980
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Nirmaalyam
- Best Film - 1973
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Olavum
Theeravum - Best Film - 1970
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MAJOR WORKS
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SCREENPLAYS
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STORIES
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NOVELS
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Olavum Theeravum
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Iruttinte Atmavu (The Soul of
the Darkness)
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Manju (English
translation: Mist)
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Murappennu
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Olavum Theeravum (Ripple and
Shore)
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Kaalam (Time)
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Nagarame Nandi
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Kuttyedathi
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Nalukettu (Ancestral house;
English translation: The Legacy)
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Asuravithu
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Varikkuzhi (The Trap)
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Asuravithu (English
translation: The Demon Seed)
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Pakalkkinavu
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Pathanam (The Fall)
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Vilapayathra (The funeral
procession)
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Iruttinte Athmavu
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Bandhanam (The Binding)
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Pathiravum
Pakalvelichavum (Midnight and daylight)
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Kuttiyedathi
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Swargavathil Thurakkunna
Samayam (When the Heaven's gates open)
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Arabipponnu (The
Arabian Gold, written with N. P. Mohammed)
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Neelathamara
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Ninte (Yours)
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Randamoozham (English translation: The Second Turn)
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Oppol
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Ninte Ormaykku (For your
memory)
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Varanasi (Benares)
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Vilkkanundu
Swapnangal
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Vanaprastham (Into the Forest)
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Varikuzhi
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Dar-es-salam
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Bandhanam
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Raktham Puranda
Mantharikal (Blood-soaked sand)
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Valarthumrigangal
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Veyilum Nilavum (Sunlight and
Moonlight)
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Idavazhiyile Poocha Mindapoocha
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Kaliveedu (Playhouse)
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Evideyo Oru Shatru
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Vedanayude Pookkal (Flowers of
sorrow)
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Vellam
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Sherlock
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Panchagni
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Neelathamara (Blue lotus)
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Nakhakshathangal
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Kannanthalipookalude
Kaalam (Time of Exacum Flowers)
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Amrutham Gamaya
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Abhayam Thedi
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More about him in Malayalam Click here
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Aaroodam
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Aksharangal
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Rangam
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Idanilangal
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Aalkkoottathil
Thaniye
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Adiyozhukkukal
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Uyarangalil
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Rithubhedam
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Vaishali
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Thazhvaram
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Oru Vadakkan
Veeragatha
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Venalkinavukal
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Aranyakam
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Anubandham
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Midhya
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Thrishna
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Kadavu
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Utharam
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Sadayam
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Perunthachan
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Sukrutham
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Parinayam
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Nalukettu (Tele-Serial)
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Oru Cheru Punchiri
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Daya (based on a story of the One Thousand and One
Nights
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Ennu Swantham
Janakikutty (based on the short story Cheriya Cheriya
Bhookampangal)
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Theerthadanam (based on his story Vanaprastham)
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Pazhassi Raja
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Neelathamara (remake
of Neelathamara which he had written years back)
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