Renowned historian and scholar M.G.S. Narayanan passed away on Saturday morning in Kozhikode at the age of 92, leaving behind an indelible legacy in the realm of Kerala's historical studies.
Born on August 20, 1932, in Ponnani, Malappuram district, Narayanan pursued his early education in Parappanangadi, Ponnani, Kozhikode, and Thrissur. He later earned a Master's degree in History from Madras Christian College in 1953, securing First Class and First Rank in the University of Madras. His academic journey led him to a Ph.D. from the University of Kerala in 1973.
Narayanan's contributions to academia were profound. He joined the Postgraduate Centre of Kerala University at Kozhikode in 1965 and played a pivotal role in the establishment of the University of Calicut in 1968. Serving in various capacities, including Lecturer, Reader, Professor, and Dean of the Faculty of Social Sciences and Humanities, he was instrumental in modernizing the curriculum, introducing the semester system, and establishing a specialized library and museum dedicated to Kerala's history and culture.
Internationally, Narayanan held esteemed positions such as Commonwealth Academic Staff Fellow at SOAS, University of London (1974–75), Visiting Fellow at the Universities of Moscow and Leningrad (1991), and Visiting Research Professor at Tokyo University of Foreign Studies (1994–95). He also served as the Chairman of the Indian Council of Historical Research.
His scholarly works, including "Cultural Symbiosis in Kerala," "Aspects of Aryanisation in Kerala," and "Foundations of South Indian Society and Culture," have been seminal in understanding Kerala's historical and cultural evolution. His doctoral dissertation, "Perumals of Kerala," published in 1996, is considered a cornerstone in the study of Kerala's medieval period.
Beyond academia, Narayanan was known for his unwavering commitment to historical truth. He often voiced concerns about the politicization of history, emphasizing the importance of objective scholarship. His critiques, such as those regarding the removal of leaders from the "Dictionary of Martyrs of India's Freedom Struggle," highlighted his dedication to preserving the integrity of historical narratives. Historical truth gets sacrificed in the fight between narratives, says MGS Narayanan.
M.G.S. Narayanan's demise marks the end of an era in Kerala's historiography. His contributions have not only enriched academic discourse but have also fostered a deeper understanding of Kerala's rich and diverse history.