Prominent historian and former chairman of the Indian Council of Historical Research (ICHR), Muttayil Govinda Menon Sankaranarayanan, better known as MGS Narayanan, died at the age of 92 at his residence in Kozhikode on Saturday morning.
MGS Narayanan, towering figure in historical research, education, and writing breathed his last at 9.52. He had been suffering from age-related ailments.
Reacting to his demise, Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan expressed deep sorrow, describing MGS Narayanan as a historian who made invaluable contributions to Indian historical research. In his condolence message, Vijayan noted that although Narayanan was a staunch critic of the Left at one point, he later emerged as a key voice defending history against right-wing efforts at distortion.
The Chief Minister recalled that in 2015, MGS had vehemently spoken out against the growing intolerance under the Central government and had supported writer M.T. Vasudevan Nair when he faced a hate campaign for criticising demonetisation. Vijayan highlighted that Narayanan’s comprehensive analysis, scientific interpretation of historical objects, and his approach of integrating the social significance of myths into history set him apart.
“MGS opened a new window in history writing distinct from the traditions of administrators and language scholars. Many prominent historians later followed the path he paved,” the Chief Minister said, adding that Narayanan played a crucial role in shaping history as a serious knowledge domain.
Born on August 20, 1932, in Ponnani, Kerala, Narayanan’s contributions to understanding Kerala’s ancient past are immense. His authoritative research on the Chera dynasty culminated in his seminal work Perumals of Kerala, considered a landmark in the historiography of the state. Through his scholarly endeavours, he brought forth stone and copper plate inscriptions, offering new insights into Kerala’s rich history.
MGS completed his graduation in economics and post-graduation in history from the University of Madras, securing first rank. He began teaching in 1954 at Zamorin (Guruvayoorappan) College, Kozhikode, before joining the University of Kerala’s Kozhikode centre in 1964, and later, the University of Calicut in 1968. He earned his PhD from the University of Kerala in 1973 and retired as the head of the history department at the University of Calicut in 1992.
MGS Narayanan served in key positions such as member secretary and later chairman of the Indian Council of Historical Research (ICHR) and Director General of the Centre for Heritage Studies. He was associated with several scholarly bodies, including the South Indian History Congress, the Epigraphical Society of India, the Place Name Society of India, the Rock Art Society of India, and the Numismatic Society of South India.
An author of around 200 books and articles, Narayanan published 112 research papers in prestigious national and international journals and participated in numerous workshops and seminars worldwide. His notable books include Kozhikodinte Katha, Kalaripayattu Nighandu, Kavitha Communism Vargheeyata – M.G.S. Thoughts, 10 False Stories in Kerala History, and Chirithri Viyavaharam – Kerala and Bharatavum. His autobiography Jalakangal was published by Current Books in 2018.
The funeral will be held at the Mavoor Road crematorium in Kozhikode at 4 pm on Saturday. He is survived by his wife Premalatha, son Vijayakumar, and daughter Vinaya Manoj.
