MGS Narayanan, eminent historian, writer, and political commentator, passed away at his residence ‘Maitri’ in Malaparamba, Kozhikode, on Saturday morning. He was 92. MGS, as he is popularly known, had been leading a quiet retired life for some time, due to age-related illnesses.
A towering figure in Indian academic history, MGS Narayanan undertook a historical enquiry into Kerala’s historical past and debunked several historical myths. He was the former chairperson of the Indian Council of Historical Research (ICHR) and played a crucial role in shaping historical discourse in the country.
He believed that "History is complex, and with time, people with vested interests spin a narrative to suit their convenience.”
The appointment of MGS, who was openly critical of Left historians professing Marxist ideology, as Chairman of the Indian Council of Historical Research in 2002 was seen as part of the HRD Ministry's agenda to saffronise the academia. But he soon fell out of favour with the Union government, when he tried to uphold the autonomy of the institution. In 2003, he was unceremoniously removed from the post.
"The HRD minister, along with some bureaucrats and Sangh Parivar academics are promoting obscurantist policies in the field of history in India. I have been sacked because I fought against the communal agenda and stood strongly for the cause of history and its research," MGS told Rediff after his removal.
Born on August 20, 1932, in Muttayi, Parappanangadi in Malappuram district, he was the son of Narayani Amma and Dr PK Govinda Menon. After completing his primary and high school education at AV School in Parappanangadi and Ponnani, he pursued higher studies at Zamorin's (Guruvayurappan) College and Farook College in Kozhikode, Kerala Varma College in Thrissur, and Madras Christian College. He earned a Master’s degree in History with first rank and began his academic career as a lecturer at Guruvayurappan College at the age of 22.
At 28, he began historical research under a UGC fellowship and later earned his doctorate. He went on to teach at the Kozhikode Centre of the University of Kerala, and continued there when it became part of Calicut University, eventually heading the Department of History. He also served as professor, Chairman of the Board of Studies, and Dean of Faculty. Since 1976, he was actively involved with the Indian History Congress and led several historically significant projects in collaboration with ICHR. He also served as a visiting professor at various universities across India and abroad.
Dr Narayanan’s research interests spanned Kerala and Tamil history, ancient Indian history, and historiographical methods. He published more than 200 articles in Malayalam and English. Apart from history, poetry was another passion of his.
His major works include Perumals of Kerala, Cultural Symbiosis in Kerala, Aspects of Aryanisation in Kerala, Charithrasathyangalilekku Thirinjunokumbol, Kozhikkode Charithathil Chila Ezhuthukal, Kozhikkodinte Kadha, Malabar, Keralacharithrathinte Aadhishilakal, Secular Jathiyum Secular Mathavum, Sahithyaparadhangal, and Jaalakangal: Oru Charithranuveshiyude Vazhikal, Kaazhchakal (autobiography).
His book Jaalakangal, chronicling the socio-political and cultural life of Kerala and India from the time of the freedom struggle to the post-modern era, won the Kerala Sahitya Akademi Award in 2019.