Renowned Malayalam writer, literary critic, educationist, thinker, and former MLA MK Sanu passed away in Kochi on Saturday at the age of 99. He had been undergoing treatment at Amrita Hospital for over a week after sustaining injuries from a fall.
Popularly known as “Sanu Mash,” MK Sanu was a towering presence in Kerala’s cultural sphere for nearly eight decades. He was widely respected as a professor, author, literary critic, and translator.
Born on October 27, 1928 in Thumboli, Alappuzha, Sanu began his career as a school teacher and later served in several government colleges, including the prestigious Maharaja’s College. His first book, ‘Anju Sastra Nayaknmaar’ was published in 1958, followed by the critical work ‘Katum Vayuvum’ in 1960.
Over a span of six decades, he authored 36 books, encompassing literary criticism, biography, translation, and essays. His biographies of Sree Narayana Guru, Kumaran Asan, and Mahatma Gandhi are considered landmark contributions to Malayalam literature.
Sanu received numerous accolades, including the Ezhuthachan Puraskaram (Kerala’s highest literary honor) in 2013 and the Kendra Sahitya Akademi Award in 2011.
He entered public life in 1987, contesting the Kerala Assembly election as a Left-supported Independent and winning from the Ernakulam constituency, defeating Congress leader AL Jaco