C.V. Balakrishnan Reflects on His Childhood Through M.T. Vasudevan Nair’s Fiction

Growing up in a village near Payyannur, the evocative short stories of M.T. Vasudevan Nair resonated deeply with my own experiences. His narratives, rich in matriarchal traditions and reflections on poverty and paternal absence, struck a chord with my childhood. Tales such as Oru Pirannalinte Orma, Karkidakam, and Ninte Ormaykk were not just stories—they were poignant reflections of my life that moved me to tears. M.T.’s impactful writing has been a driving force behind my own literary pursuits. I vividly recall his inspiring speeches at literary gatherings and the joy I felt when he chose to publish my short story, Oru Maranavruthantham.

During my time at the Mathrubhumi office in Kozhikode, I was introduced to him by N.V. Krishna Warrier. On that occasion, M.T. encouraged me by sharing that my second submitted story would also be published. Our subsequent meetings often revolved around discussions on literature, and he graciously introduced me to authors like Truman Capote and Pramoedya Ananta Toer.

M.T. possessed an extraordinary passion for reading, eagerly embracing remarkable global literature. His enthusiastic recommendation of Gabriel Garcia Marquez’s One Hundred Years of Solitude compelled me to read it, and I could not agree more with his assessment that it was a literary masterpiece. He once mentioned lending the novel to a critic, further demonstrating his commitment to fostering good literature.

His unwavering dedication to his craft has always inspired me. M.T. never settled for mediocrity; he pursued perfection with relentless ambition. I was consistently amazed at his skillful storytelling, whether in films, novels, or short stories. His knack for creating unforgettable dialogues and powerful sentences set him apart in the literary world.

Among M.T.’s novels, Asuravithu stands out as my favorite. The character of Govindan Kutty exemplifies the depth of suffering portrayed in literature. Kaalam also commands my admiration for its brilliant depiction of the character Sethu.

Having also ventured into film screenwriting, I have marveled at M.T.’s ability in this realm. He distinguished himself as one of the finest scriptwriters, adeptly transforming short stories into compelling full-length films. His projects included masterpieces like Murappennu, Aalkoottathil Thaniye, Iruttinte Aathmavu, Edavazhiyile Poocha Mindapoocha, Kuttyedathi, Oppol, and Ennu Swantham Janakikutty.

To me, he stood out as the finest orator among Malayalam writers, captivating audiences with his eloquence.