Prof. M.K. Sanu, fondly known as 'Sanu Mash', left us on August 2, 2025, at the age of 98.
His remarkable journey spanned over eight decades, leaving an indelible mark as a revered writer, critic, academic, biographer, journalist, orator, social activist, and human rights activist.
Born on October 27, 1928, in Thumpoly, Alappuzha, Prof. Sanu's life was a testament to the power of words and ideas.
He began his career as a school teacher. Later, he distinguished himself as a lecturer at various government colleges, most notably at Maharaja's College in Ernakulam.
There, he nurtured generations of students, including prominent personalities like actor Mammootty.
His dedication to education extended far beyond the classroom, shaping young minds and inspiring them to develop a love for critical thinking and literature.
Prof. Sanu was a prolific writer, with over 70 books to his credit, encompassing literary criticism, children's literature, interpretations, travelogues, biographies, and essays.
- First Book – Anchu Sastra Nayakanmar (Translation, 1958).
- First Critical Work – Kattum Velichavum (1960).
- First Biography – Asthamikkatha Velicham (1962).
- Autobiography – Karmagathi (2010).
- Memoirs – Thaazhvarayile Sandhya & Ivar Lokathe Snehichavar.
- Travelogue – Anubhavangal Prathyaasakal (1985).
- Last Book – Tapaswini Amma: Abalakalkk Sharanamayi Jeevicha Amma (2025).
His biographies of towering figures like Sree Narayana Guru, Changampuzha Krishna Pillai, Vaikom Muhammed Basheer, and M. Govindan offered deep insights into their lives and the socio-political fabric of 20th-century Kerala.
His writing style was characterized by its gentle yet powerful language, consistently rooted in progressive values and the philosophy of Narayana Guru.
Biographical Works Written By Prof. M.K. Sanu:
| Biography | About |
|---|---|
| Asthamikkatha Velicham | Albert Schweitzer |
| Ekantha Veedhiyile Avadhoothan | Vaikom Muhammad Basheer |
| Nakshatrangalude Snehabhajanam | Changampuzha Krishnapilla |
| Iruttu Keerunna Vajrasoochi | C.J. Thomas |
| M. Govindan | M. Govindan |
| Mruthyunjayam Kavyajeevitham | Kumaranasan |
| Narayanaguru Swami | Sree Narayana Guru |
| Parvathy Amma: Asaranarude Amma | Parvathy Amma |
| Sahodaran K. Ayyappan, Oru Kalaghattathinte Silpi | Sahodaran K. Ayyappan |
| Urangatha Maneeshi | P.K. Balakrishnan |
| Yukthivaadi M.C Joseph | Yukthivaadi M.C Joseph |
Even in his advanced years, Prof. Sanu remained actively involved in the literary world, continuing to write and inspire.
His recent work, "Tapaswini Amma," released at the age of 98, demonstrated his unwavering spirit and intellectual vigor.
Beyond his literary prowess, Sanu Mash was a passionate orator, captivating audiences with his insightful speeches.
He was also a prominent social and human rights activist, championing causes close to his heart.
His foray into electoral politics resulted in his election as an MLA from the Ernakulam constituency in 1987 as a Left-supported independent candidate, further demonstrating his commitment to public service.
Throughout his illustrious career, Prof. M.K. Sanu received numerous accolades, including the prestigious Ezhuthachan Puraskaram, the Kendra and Kerala Sahitya Akademi Awards, the Vayalar Award, and the Kerala Jyothi Award – the state's highest civilian honor.
These awards are a testament to his immense contribution to Malayalam literature and culture.
Important Awards received by M.K. Sanu
- Padmaprabha Award (2010)
- Ezhuthachan Puraskaram (2013)
- P. Kesavadev Literary Award (2015)
- Kendra Sahitya Akademi Award (Basheer: Ekantha Veedhiyile Avadhoothan, 2011)
- Vayalar Award (Changampuzha: Nakshathrangalude Snehabhajanam, 1992)
- Kerala Jyothi Award (2025)
Prof. M.K. Sanu's passing marks the end of an era.
He was a beacon of knowledge, a voice of reason, and a compassionate presence who significantly shaped Kerala's cultural consciousness.
His legacy, however, will undoubtedly live on through his vast body of work, his students, and the profound impact he had on the intellectual landscape of Kerala.
We bid adieu to the true literary giant, whose words and wisdom will continue to guide and inspire generations to come.
Important Works by M.K. Sanu
- Avadharanam (അവധാà´°à´£ം)
- Ashanthiyilninnu Santhiyilekku (à´…à´¶ാà´¨്à´¤ിà´¯ിà´²് à´¨ിà´¨്à´¨് à´¶ാà´¨്à´¤ിà´¯ിà´²േà´•്à´•്)
- Chumarile Chitrangal (à´šുമരിà´²െ à´šിà´¤്à´°à´™്ങള്)
- Ente Vazhiyambalangal (à´Žà´¨്à´±െ വഴിയമ്പലങ്ങള്)
- Ezhuthinte Nanarthangal (à´Žà´´ുà´¤്à´¤ിà´¨്à´±െ à´¨ാà´¨ാർത്ഥങ്ങൾ)
- Ivar Lokathe Snehichavar (ഇവര് à´²ോà´•à´¤്à´¤െ à´¸്à´¨േà´¹ിà´š്ചവര്)
- Kaattum Velichavum (à´•ാà´±്à´±ും à´µെà´³ിà´š്à´šà´µും)
- Kaavyathathwa Praveshika (à´•ാà´µ്യതത്à´¤്വപ്à´°à´µേà´¶ിà´•)
- Prabhathadarsanam (à´ª്à´°à´ാതദർശനം)
- Rajaveethi (à´°ാജവീà´¥ി)
- Sahithyadarsanam (à´¸ാà´¹ിà´¤്യദര്ശനം)
- Thazhvarayile Sandhya (à´¤ാà´´് വരയിà´²െ സന്à´§്à´¯)
- Vimarsanathile Raajasilpi (à´µിമർശനത്à´¤ിà´²െ à´°ാജശിà´²്à´ªി)
Previous Year PSC Questions
- 'Changampuzha; Nakshathrangalude Snehabhajanam' is the book written by – M.K. Sanu. (HSST(Jr) Mathematics NCA, 2017)
- Find out the incorrect statement/statements from the following: (Non Vocational Teacher Mathematics (Junior & Senior) VHSE, 2023; Non Vocational Teacher Physics, 2023)
- (i) Bhaskara Menon is regarded as the first detective novel in Malayalam.
- (ii) Kerala Sangeetha Nataka Academy was inaugurated by Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru, the then Prime Minister of India, on 26 April 1958.
- (iii) M.K. Sanu was the President of Purogamana Kala Sahithya Sangham during 1988-90.
- (iv) Lilathilakam is a 16th Century treatise on Malayalam grammar and poetics.
- (A) (i) only
- (B) (ii) and (iv) only
- (C) (i) and (iii) only
- (D) (iv) only
- Albert Schweitzer, a polymath who was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize (1952) for his philosophy of "Reverence for Life" and his humanitarian work in Africa.
- Polymath = a person whose expertise spans a significant no. of different subject areas.
- Muthukulam Parvathy Amma was a poet, freedom fighter, and social reformer.
- Tapaswini Amma was a social reformer and activist in Kerala who established Abalasaranam (Sree Narayana Vidyartini Sadanam), a shelter that provides education for marginalized women.
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