M G S Narayanan, historian and director of the Centre for Heritage Studies (CHS), was in for a pleasant surprise when his colleagues organised his 80th birthday at the ‘Hill Palace Athaghosham 2012’ on Monday.
They decided to honour M G S on his birthday as the Athagosham was already scheduled to be held at Hill Palace.
CHS academic affairs dean M G Sasibhooshan said that it was not a planned programme. “M G S had just returned from New Delhi after attending a mohiniyattam seminar on Sunday. We informed him about a small birthday celebration programme. Normally, M G S does not encourage such celebrations because simplicity is his way of life. But it is our duty to honour the great historian,” he said.
Tripunithura municipal chairman R Venugopal, writer K L Mohanavarma and journalist Leela Menon, Cochin royal family members Raman Namboothiri, Elamana Hari, V K Thampuran, and Sree Sukumaran spoke. They draped a ponnada on him. A cake was cut, and gifts were given.
M G S Narayanan who inaugurated the function delivered the Onam message. As part of the Athaghosham, various arts and cultural programmes were held.