Prof. M.K. Sanu, renowned Malayalam writer, scholar, and former MLA, passed away at the age of 97 at Amrita Hospital in Kochi around 5:35 PM on Saturday. According to the hospital, he had been under treatment for the past week following injuries sustained in a fall.
A towering figure in Kerala’s literary and academic circles, Prof. Sanu was honoured with the Ezhuthachan Puraskaram by the Kerala Sahitya Akademi in 2013 and received the prestigious Kendra Sahitya Akademi Award in 2011.
Born on October 27, 1928, in Thumboli in Alappuzha District, he served as a school teacher for 4 years. Later, he became a professor in government colleges. In 1958, he published his first book, ‘Anchu Sastra Nayakanmar (Five Major Scientists)’. In 1960, he also published a book of criticism, Kaattum Velichavum. He retired from service in 1983.
In 1986, he became the president of the Progressive Literature Society. In 1987, he contested as an independent candidate with the Support of the Left from the Ernakulam Legislative Assembly constituency and won.
He has written 36 books, including biographies of Sri Narayanaguru Swami, Sahodaran Ayyappan, and Changampuzha Krishnapillai. Thaazhvarayile Sandhya and Ivar Lokathe Snehichavar are his memoirs.
MK Sanu is the author of about forty works in various literary genres, including criticism, children’s literature, and biography. He also penned an autobiography titled Karmagathi.
He is survived by his wife, N Ratnamma, and children Ranjith, Rekha, Geetha, Seetha, and Harris.
