50 years of Nalukettu

Thrissur: The golden jubilee celebrations of 'Nalukettu', the widely acclaimed novel by M.T. Vasudevan Nair, Jnanpith Holder will be inagurated at Thrissur, Kerala.

The celebrations will be inagurated at Trissur Sahitya Academy Hall at 10:00 am by noted writer Kakkanadan. Popular figures of Malayalam literature like Sugathakumari, Kovilan, Akittham, Mukundan etc will attend the funtion.

M. T. Vasudevan Nair, one of the most respected Indian writers today, was born on 15th july 1933 in Kudallur, a small village in Palakkad district, Kerala. He rose to eminence through his well-crafted novels and short stories in Malayalam whose romantic poignancy and tender portrayal of the human condition endeared the author to his readers.

The essence of his work is self-suffering and its emotional intensity and rhythms of love hold the readers sticking to him.The story of Koodalloor village and Bharathapuzha are the most repeated and favourite themes of M.T. Most of his stories show the wretched state of the Nair families 'Nalukettu', 'Kaalam', 'Asuravithu', 'Manju', 'Randamoozham', 'Vilapayathra', 'Arabipponnu'(written with N.P. Muhammed), 'Pathiravum Pakal Velichavum' are his novels.

Around 18 short story collections are in his name of which the most important are 'Olavum Theeravum','Kutyedathi', 'Ninte Ormakku', 'Nashtapetta Dinangal', 'Iruttinte Aatmavu', 'Varikkuzhi', 'Dar-s-Salaam, 'Swargam Thurakkunna Samayam'.

He acted as the Chief Editor of the weekly Mathrubhumi and as the editor of the Mathrubhumi periodicals. Won the Jnanapeedam award in 1996. On the 2nd of June 1996 he was bestowed with honourary D.Lit degree by the Calicut University. 'Randamoozham' bagged the Vayalar award in 1985. 'Swargam Thurakkunna Samayam' bagged the Kerala Sahithya Academy award in 1986. 'Kalam' gained the Kendra Sahithya Academy in 1970 and 'Nalukettu' the Kerala Sahithya Academy award. M.T. also gained the Padmarajan prize for short story.

The films 'Nirmalyam', 'Bandhanam', 'Varikkuzhi', 'Manju' and 'Kadavu' were written and directed by him. Of these 'Nirmalyam' had gained the national award for best film. The other four movies bagged the state awards. Bagged the award for best screenplay writer several times.

The 50th year celebration of 'Nalukettu' will feature the painting exhibition by Artist Namboodiri and also by the photo exhbition by Vinayan. Seminars will be organised headed by noted literary figures like Sara Joseph, K.C. Narayanan, etc

Around hundred of Malayalam writers are expected to participate in this four day celebrations of the novel 'Nalukettu'.

Author M.T. Vasudevan will be honoured on the 13th January in a function chaired by the K. Radhakrishnan, Honourable Speaker of Kerala Legislative Assembly. The programme will be followed by a drama on the novel 'Nalukettu'

Credits:

1. The Malayala Manorama Daily

2. http://www.mtvasudevannair.com