M. T. Vasudevan Nair

M. T. Vasudevan Nair, popularly known as MT, is a renowned Malayalam author, screenplay writer and film director. He was born on July 15, 1933 in Kudallur, a small village in Palakkad district, in the Indian state of Kerala. He is one of the most prolific and versatile writers in modern Malayalam literature. His novels, short stories and screenplays speak of the pain and anguish of the Kerala society in the post independence India. He has won the National Film Award for Best Screenplay four times.

The essence of his work is self-suffering and its emotional intensity holds the readers captivated. The story of Kudallur village and Bharathapuzha are the most repeated and favourite theme. He explores the silences in life, in the folk tales of forgotten heroes and in the legends of warriors from epics forever retoldMT was awarded the highest literary award in India, the Jnanpith in 1995. He is also the recipient of:

State Sahithya Academy and Sahithya Academy National Award for Best Screenplay (five times) National Award and for Best Film & Actor (1973/Nirmalyam/PJ Anthony) Kerala State Award for Best Film & Screenplay (1978/Bandhanam) Kerala State Award for Best Film (1991/Kadavu) MT's oeuvre consists of novels, short-stories, film scripts and non-fiction works on literary themes. The US Library of Congress has in its collection sixty-two books by MT or on him. His close friendship with the giant of Malayalam literature, Vaikom Muhammed Basheer was well chronicled. MT was severely criticised by artist Devan for his 'alleged hunger for power' and 'haste in getting to the chair in Delhi' when the celebrations of Nalukettu were going on.

NovelsManju (Mist) Kalam (Time) Nalukettu (Ancestral House) Asuravithu (Seed of the Demon) Vilapayathra (The Funeral Procession) Pathiravum Pakalvelichavum (Midnight and Daylight) Arabipponnu (The Gold of Arabia, written with N. P. Muhammed) Randamoozham (Second Turn) Varanasi (BenaresStoriesIruttinte Atmavu (The Soul of the Darkness) Olavum Theeravum (Ripple and Shore) Kuttyedathi Varikkuzhi (The Trap) Pathanam (The Fall) Bandhanam (The Binding) Swargam Thurakkunna Samayam (The Time When Heaven Opens) Ninte (Yours) Vanaprastham Dar-es-salam Raktham Puranda Mantharikal Veyilum Nilavum (The Sunlight and Moonlight) Kaliveedu Vedanayude Pookkal (The Flowers of Sorrow) Sherlock ScreenplaysOlavum Theeravum Murappennu Nagarame Nanni Asuravithu Pakalkkinavu Iruttinte Atmavu Kuttiyedathi Oppol Edavazhiyile Poocha Mindapoocha Evideyo Oru Shatru Ennu Swantham Janakikkuttikku (based on the short story Cheriya cheriya bhookampangal) Vellam Panchagni Nakhakshatangal Amritam Gamaya Aaroodam Allkottathil Thaniye Adiyozhukkukal Uyarangalil Rithubhedam Vaishaali Oru Vadakkan Veeragatha Utharam Perunthachan Sukrutham Parinayam Teerthadanam (based on his story Vanaprastham) Aaranyakam Pazhassi Raja Sadayam Oru cheru punjiri