M T Vasudevan Nair.
Credit: X/@swaroopkaimal
Thiruvananthapuram: Thousands gathered in Kozhikode on Thursday to bid emotional farewell to M T Vasudevan Nair, the legendary Malayalam writer and filmmaker, who died on December 25.
MT, as his admirers affectionately called him, was cremated with full state honours.
Earlier, people from all walks of life paid their tribute to the departed writer at his house.
Actors Mohanlal, Suraj Venjaramoodu, Vineeth, Durga Krishna; filmmaker Hariharan, Kerala State Chalachitra Academy chairman Prem Kumar, directors Sibi Malayil, Kamal, and Lal Jose, and actor-screenwriter Ranji Panicker were among the film personalities who paid their respects.
“I was fortunate to have played many memorable characters envisaged by MT,” said Mohanlal.
Mammootty said that his biggest fortune as an actor was a place in MT’s heart.
Actor Kamal Hassan recollected his friendship with MT over the last 50 years. Many writers also turned emotional while condoling MT’s passing.
Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan, most of his Cabinet colleagues, and leaders from all political parties also paid their last respects to MT.
While PM Modi termed him one of the most respected figures in Malayalam cinema and literature, President Droupadi Murmu said the world of Malayalam literature was poorer due to the his death.