Renowned historian Dr. M.G.S. Narayanan has passed away. He died at his residence in Malaparamba, Kozhikode. He was 93 years old. He had served as the chairman of the Indian Council of Historical Research and was the head of the Department of History at Calicut University. A native of Ponnani, M.G.S. was known for expressing his views boldly and made invaluable contributions to historical research in Kerala.
He had been suffering from age-related ailments. The cremation will take place today at 4 PM at the Mavoor Road crematorium. M.G.S. conducted authoritative research on the Chera kings, following which he wrote the acclaimed book Perumals of Kerala. He was a prominent figure in both the historical and cultural landscapes of Kerala. His research was based on the study of inscriptions and copper plate grants. He made a significant mark in Kerala’s historical research and published numerous scholarly papers that gained international recognition. He also served as a visiting professor at universities in Britain and Russia.
M.G.S. was born on August 20, 1932, in Ponnani, as Muriyath Govinda Menon Sankara Narayanan. He earned a degree in economics and later secured first rank in postgraduate studies in history from Madras University. In 1954, he began his career as a history lecturer at Guruvayurappan College, Kozhikode. From 1964, he taught at the Kerala University’s Kozhikode Centre, and from 1968, at the University of Calicut’s history department. In 1973, he earned his Ph.D. from Kerala University. From 1974, he served as a member of the Indian History Congress committee.
He retired as the head of the Department of History at Calicut University in 1992. He was a visiting professor at several universities and served as the member secretary of the Indian Council of Historical Research. In 2004–05, he chaired the Technical Advisory Committee of the Kerala State Archives. He also edited many research papers. His autobiography, Jaalakangal (“Windows”), was published by Current Books in 2018. His major works include Kozhikodinte Kadha, Kalaripayattu Nighandu, Kavitha, Communism, Vargheeyatha – MGSinte Chinthakal, Keralacharithrathtile 10 Kallakathakal, and Charithram Vyavaharam – Keralavum Bharatavum.
