Kozhikode: M G S Narayanan, one of India's most respected historians, passed away at his residence ‘Maitri’ at Malaparamba here at the age of 92. He had been living a quiet life due to age-related ailments. A noted academic, writer and political observer, he left a deep imprint on the field of Indian historiography. He also served as chairman of the Indian Council of Historical Research (ICHR).

Early life and education
Born on 20 August 1932 in Muttayi, Parappanangadi (Malappuram district), Narayanan was the son of Dr P K Govinda Menon and Narayani Amma. He studied at Parappanangadi and A V School in Ponnani before completing his higher education at Zamorin’s (Guruvayurappan) College and Farook College in Kozhikode, Kerala Varma College in Thrissur and Madras Christian College. He earned his master’s degree in history with first rank and began his academic career at Guruvayurappan College at the age of 22.

Academic career and research
At 28, he received a UGC fellowship and began his research career. Under the mentorship of historian Elamkulam Kunjan Pillai, Narayanan developed expertise in epigraphy and classical languages. His PhD thesis, Perumals of Kerala, examined Kerala’s socio-political history from the 9th to the 12th centuries using inscriptions, Tamil and Sanskrit texts and archaeological sources. It took 12 years to complete the research and nearly 20 more to publish it as a book.

placeholder
Prof. MGS Narayanan | Photo: P. Krishnapradeep

Contributions to university education
 After obtaining his PhD, he joined the University of Kerala’s Kozhikode Centre as a history lecturer. Later, when the centre was merged with the University of Calicut, he became the head of the department. He also served as professor, chairman of the Board of Studies and dean of the faculty. From 1976, he was active in the Indian History Congress and led multiple historical research projects in collaboration with ICHR. He also worked as a visiting professor at several universities in India and abroad.

Scholarly legacy and writing
Narayanan focused on Kerala history, the history of Tamilakam, ancient Indian history and the methodology of historiography. He mentored over a thousand students and supervised many postgraduate research projects. With more than 200 published articles in Malayalam and English, he made historical scholarship more accessible through his literary flair. Besides history, he also enjoyed writing poetry.

Major works and honours
His notable publications include Charithrasathyangalilekku Thiriyumbol, Kozhikkodinte Charithrathil Chila Ezhuthukal, Kozhikkodinte Katha, Cultural Symbiosis in Kerala, Aspects of Aryanisation in Kerala, Malabar, Keralacharithrathinte Aadharashilakal, Secularjathyum Secularmathavum, Sahithyaparadhamgal, Jaalakangal: Oru Charithranuveshiyude Vazhiukal and his memoir Kaazhchakal. His book Jaalakangal, which documented Kerala and India’s socio-political and cultural evolution since the freedom struggle, won the 2019 Kerala Sahitya Akademi Award.
 

placeholder
MGS with his wife Premalatha | Mathrubhumi
MGS with wife Premalatha

Family
He is survived by his wife Premalatha and children, N Vijayakumar, a Squadron Leader in the Indian Air Force, and N Vinaya, a dancer based in Bengaluru; children-in-law, Durga Vijayakumar (USA) and Manoj, a software engineer in Bengaluru. His siblings Devayani Gopinath and Jayamani Panicker had predeceased him.