MALAPPURAM: The Navathi celebration of celebrated Malayalam writer M T Vasudevan Nair was held at Thunchan Parambu (Thunchan Memorial Trust and Research Centre) on Tuesday.
Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan inaugurated the five-day-long celebration titled Sadaram MT Ulsavam. MT was also joined on the stage by actor Mammootty, Culture Minister Saji Cheriyan, Sports Minister V Abdurahiman and Writer C Radhakrishnan.
While speaking, the CM said MT gave his everything to develop Thunchan Parambu into one of the significant cultural centres in the country. “MT used the money he received as awards, including Ezhuthachan Puraskaram, to develop Thunchan Parambu.
He constantly submitted projects before the government to see to the development of Thunchan Parambu,” the CM said. He also added that the novels of MT show the secular mind of the state. “MT depicted the positives and negatives of our society in his novels. A section is now trying to make us believe that Hindus and Muslims were enemies in the past. However, MT’s novels will show you the secular mind of Kerala,” the CM said.
To stress his point, he highlighted the relationship between Fathima and Gopi in the ‘Pathiravum Pakalvelichavum’ novel. “The novels Naalukettu and Asuravithu are also telling stories of the harmonious lives of the people in the state,” the CM added.
Actor Mammootty, speaking on the occasion, said MT influenced him to become a better person and actor. “In our daily life, we use a lot of Malayalam phrases introduced by MT. He is the inspiration for the many awards I received. I dedicate all my awards to MT,” Mammootty said.
The ceremony on the day ended with a speech by MT. Many thronged Thunchan Parambu to listen to his words. MT said he was grateful to everyone for honouring him at a grand function at Thuchan Parambu. For the next four days, various seminars, art performances and exhibitions will be organised at Thunchan Parambu as part of the celebration.