M.T. Vasudevan Nair’s words held a mirror to his fellow Malayalis

Malayalam writer M.T. Vasudevan Nair. File.
| Photo Credit: S. Mahinsha

A man of words that will last for posterity, a creator of movies that linger forever in the collective psyche of Malayalis, M.T. Vasudevan Nair was all this and much more. When the genius passed away, aged 91, on Christmas Day, Malayalam literature lost one of its finest exponents.

A prolific writer, delving into the raw and complicated human emotions and interactions, MT, as he was reverently and fondly addressed in Kerala and elsewhere, held a mirror to his fellow Malayalis. He made them look at their past and present with fresh eyes. His enormous output will stand the test of time and everyone will have their favourite MT book or movie.

Also read | M.T. Vasudevan Nair: The pen that influenced a society and culture

Among this varied body of work, his interpretation of old ballads which offered a new version for Malabar and Kerala to view ‘Chadhiyan’ Chandhu in Oru Vadakkan Veeragatha, was mind-boggling. To humanise a traitor in popular lore and imagination, and to make us empathise and find value in him, is a tough endeavour. But MT’s writing, Hariharan’s direction and Mammootty’s acting, offered an eternal classic.

It was typical of MT to step into everyone’s shoes and figure out how they behave and why they act that way. Empathy was an abiding trait in him and it fleshed out his characters, offered them an arc, helped readers and viewers to invest in their mindspace. Even his much-acclaimed novel Randamoozham offered Bheema’s perspective. Breaking conventional narrative methods and finding a new idea drove MT forward.

Versatile and flexible, MT gave a twist to the Wild Western Hollywood movies when he penned the script for Thazhvaram. Directed by Bharathan, this was a revenge saga in which the hero and villain played a taut cat-and-mouse game in a rugged hilly terrain. This was minimalism blended with a larger-than-life touch. Mohan Lal and Salim Ghouse were outstanding and the brooding atmosphere led to an explosive climax.

The above-mentioned films and a book, are just a minor sample of MT’s exhaustive work. But they also reflect his range and acumen. For Kozhikode, which he made his home, this loss is extremely personal. After losing Vaikom Muhammad Basheer in 1994, three decades later, this coastal trading city has to cope with another great’s departure. MT’s words and films will be the umbilical cord that will forever tie us with him.