Prominent historian and former chairman of the Indian Council of Historical Research (ICHR), Muttayil Govinda Menon Sankaranarayanan, popularly known as MGS Narayanan, passed away at the age of 92 at his residence in Kozhikode on Saturday morning. A towering figure in the world of historical research, education, and writing, Narayanan breathed his last at 9.52 am after battling age-related ailments. His demise has left a profound void in the academic community. Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan expressed deep sorrow, recalling how Narayanan, once a critic of the Left, became a staunch defender of historical truth against right-wing distortions. Vijayan praised Narayanan’s scientific interpretation of historical artifacts and his method of integrating mythological narratives into mainstream history, which set him apart from earlier traditions of history writing.
Born on August 20, 1932, in Ponnani, Kerala, MGS Narayanan’s contributions to the study of Kerala’s ancient past are monumental. His acclaimed research on the Chera dynasty led to the publication of his seminal work, Perumals of Kerala, a cornerstone in Kerala historiography. He pursued his academic journey with excellence, completing his graduation in economics and post-graduation in history from the University of Madras, and later earning a PhD from the University of Kerala. His teaching career spanned decades, starting from Zamorin’s College in Kozhikode and culminating as the head of the history department at the University of Calicut. Throughout his life, Narayanan remained deeply engaged with scholarly organizations like the South Indian History Congress, the Epigraphical Society of India, and the Numismatic Society of South India, contributing significantly to each.
Over his illustrious career, Narayanan authored nearly 200 books and articles, publishing 112 research papers in esteemed national and international journals. His major works include Kozhikodinte Katha, Kalaripayattu Nighandu, 10 False Stories in Kerala History, and his autobiography Jalakangal. He served as the Director General of the Centre for Heritage Studies and played pivotal roles in shaping India’s approach to historical research through his leadership at ICHR. Narayanan’s funeral will take place at 4 pm on Saturday at the Mavoor Road crematorium in Kozhikode. He is survived by his wife Premalatha, son Vijayakumar, and daughter Vinaya Manoj, who along with the larger academic community mourn the loss of a true giant in Indian historiography.
