MT memorial in Kerala’s Kozhikode to evolve into major cultural and research centre, says Minister

The State government will establish a sprawling cultural park in Kozhikode in memory of celebrated Malayalam writer, filmmaker, and Jnanpith awardee M.T. Vasudevan Nair, Tourism and Culture Minister P.C. Vishnunadh has said.

After visiting M.T.’s residence and meeting his family members on Friday (August 7), Mr. Vishnunadh said ₹50 crore had been earmarked in the State Budget for preliminary work for the project.

The Minister said the proposed facility would not merely be a memorial, but a centre for learning, research, and cultural activities. It will serve as a platform for the study and promotion of various art forms while presenting Kerala’s history, literature, and culture to the younger generation.

The park will feature a history and literature museum, a large library, a bookshop, an art gallery, a movie theatre, and a museum preserving the recorded voices of writers. Facilities for workshops on short films and documentaries will also be created. Accommodation, including hotels, guest houses and a food court, will be developed to host writers, filmmakers, and other visitors from India and abroad, Mr. Vishnunadh said.

He added that the project would be the first cultural park of its kind in the country.

The Minister also announced that an academy in memory of renowned ghazal singer Umbayi would be launched during the current financial year. The Kozhikode District Collector has been entrusted with identifying suitable land for both the M.T. Vasudevan Nair Cultural Park and the Umbayi Academy, the Minister said.

He was received at MT’s residence by the writer’s wife Kalamandalam Saraswathy, his daughter and dancer Aswathy Nair, and former Minister M.K. Muneer. MLAs K. Jayanth and K. Praveen Kumar, and others were present.