Kozhikode: Today, Kerala bids farewell to its literary legend, MT Vasudevan Nair, who guided generations of Malayalis with his writing. For over seven and a half decades, MT's words illuminated the lives of many. His famous line, "I want to die like a candle extinguishes in the wind," now rings true as he departs like a candle’s flame fading away.

By 4 pm, MT's journey will conclude at 'Sitara' on Kozhikode's Kottaram Road, marking the end of an era in Malayalam literature. His body will be taken to the renovated public crematorium on Mavoor Road, now renamed 'Smritipatham' (Path of Remembrance), where he will be laid to rest. The first mourner at this renamed site will be MT himself, a fitting tribute to a man who shaped the literary landscape of Kerala.

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MT Vasudevan Nair: Literary legacy of Kerala's beloved Maestro

Thousands of people from all walks of life gathered near Sitara, the residence of the noted writer, to pay their final respects. Prominent personalities from various fields joined in mourning his loss. Although the writer had expressed his wish against any public homage, a large crowd still assembled to catch a last glimpse of their beloved literary icon.

MT passed away on Wednesday night at 10 pm, and his body was brought to his residence, 'Sitara,' by 11 pm. Since then, people from all walks of life have gathered to pay their last respects. True to his wishes, MT's body was not kept open for public viewing, ensuring there was no disruption to traffic.

Born in 1933 in Kudallur, a quaint village in Palakkad district, Kerala, MT, through more than seven decades of writing created a literary world that appealed equally to both ordinary people and intellectuals. MT's early life and surroundings deeply influenced his literary sensibilities. His professional journey began as a teacher and gramasevakan at a block development office in Taliparamba, Kannur, before he joined Mathrubhumi Weekly as a sub-editor in 1957.

Over the course of seven decades, he has authored nine novels, 19 collections of short stories, directed six films, around 54 screenplays and several collections of essays and memoirs. MT is celebrated for his evocative storytelling, exploring human emotions and the complexities of rural life. His novel Naalukettu (The Ancestral House) established him as a literary icon and is considered a classic in Malayalam literature.

Over the years, he authored several acclaimed works, including Asuravithu, Manju, and Kaalam, which earned him the Jnanpith Award in 1995, India's highest literary honour. At the age of 25, he won the Kerala Sahitya Akademi award for his second novel, Naalukettu (1959), and a decade later, Kaalam, his fifth novel, earned him the Kendra Sahitya Akademi award.

M T made crucial contributions to Malayalam cinema as a screenwriter and director. He has directed seven films and written the screenplay for approximately 54 films. His films, including Oru Vadakkan Veeragatha and Kadavu, are regarded as masterpieces, showcasing his ability to merge compelling narratives with visual storytelling.

M T holds the distinction of winning the National Film Award for Best Screenplay a record four times, for Oru Vadakkan Veeragatha (1989), Kadavu (1991), Sadayam (1992), and Parinayam (1994), the most by any individual in Malayalam in this category.