KOZHIKODE: Writer M.T. Vasudevan Nair was presented with the inaugural Deshabhimani Award by Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan at a function held here on Friday night.
“I do not think a writer could be honoured in front of such a huge crowd anywhere else,” novelist C. Radhakrishnan said in his speech.
Agreeing with him, actor Madhu said he wished he could live in Kozhikode. “It was a privilege acting in films he [MT] wrote,” he added.
Mammootty, who gave life to some of MT’s most powerful characters in films like Oru Vadakkan Veeragatha , Aksharangal , and Sukrutham , said the early lessons in his career were the dialogues of the master writer. “A generation began its reading habit through MT’s writings,” he added.
The Chief Minister said though MT had no politics, he gave expression to the common man’s problems. “A writer should protest against intolerance and fascism,” he said.
Accepting the award, MT said writers might not be able to solve all problems facing the common man. “But from their writings, they could derive strength,” he added.
Excise Minister T.P. Ramakrishnan; A. Pradeep Kumar, MLA; directors Ranjith and M. Mohanan; actors Sharath Kumar, Mamukkoya, and Kutyedathi Vilasini were among those who attended the function.
On Friday, there was a dance-and-music show featuring prominent actors and singers from Malayalam cinema. Songs from MT’s films were rendered by singers led by P. Jayachandran, while Vineeth led the team of dancers.
