KOZHIKODE: Eminent historian M G S Narayanan, who evaluated history using the microscope of scientific temper and not by popular fables, passed away at his residence in Malaparamba, Kozhikode, on Friday following age-related ailments. He was 93. A respected scholar and former chairman of the Indian Council of Historical Research (ICHR), the native of Ponnani in Malappuram laid the foundation stone for scientific study of history in the country.
His mortal remains were cremated at Mavoor Road crematorium on Saturday evening, after ministers including A K Saseendran paid final homage.
His seminar contribution was the study of the second Chera dynasty that culminated in his book Perumals of Kerala, a landmark work in the state’s historiography. He differed with the legendary Elamkulam Kunjan Pillai on the issue of Chera dynasty but never belittled Pillai’s contribution to Kerala history studies. He also made notable discoveries, including stone and copper plate inscriptions, which opened new avenues in Kerala’s historical research.
Known for his irreverent approach, the historian successfully demolished many myths associated with Kerala history that were part of the state’s popular imagination.
A product of human school of thought, MGS found himself at odds with political parties. Over the years, he clashed with the Left, the Congress, and the BJP in Kerala, unafraid to voice his dissent regardless of the party in power.
In his early years, MGS maintained close ties with communist leaders. He has a history of both guiding EMS to a hideout in the midnight and clashing with EMS in later years. Later in life, MGS concluded that Marxist socialism was fundamentally incompatible with democratic principles.
MGS joined the ICHR when the Congress was in power. Yet, he did not shy away from criticising the party, emerging as a vocal opponent of what he described the party’s culture of family rule. It was perhaps this independent stance that prompted the Vajpayee government to appoint him as chairman of the ICHR in 2001.
However, his tenure was short-lived. True to his principles, MGS resigned in protest against government interference in the council’s decisions. Later, he made it clear that had the Narendra Modi government offered him the position, he would have declined.
Born on August 20, 1932, as Muttayil Govinda Menon Shankara Narayanan, he completed his graduation in economics and PG in history from the University of Madras.
MGS earned his PhD from the University of Kerala in 1973. He was an active member of the Indian History Congress from 1974 and retired in 1992 as the head of the history department at the University of Calicut. He went on to hold several key positions, including member-secretary of the ICHR.