M. C. Nambudiripad

Moothiringode Chithrabhanu Nambudiripad (2 February 1919 – 26 November 2012

Science writing Nambudiripad was a recognised popular science writer in Malayalam. He was a founder member of Sasthra Sahithya Samithi, a public forum on science and science writing, formed in 1957; and of its successor body, Sasthra Sahithya Parishad. He edited two journals brought out by the Parishad, namely Sasthragathi and Eureka, for several years. He was also a regular contributor to some mainstream Malayalam periodicals, and delivered talks on popular science on All India Radio (the only broadcast medium in India then). A chapter from one of his books was part of a prescribed school text book for a long time and read by a generation.

Early awards Two of Nambudiripad's early books, The Development of Science and Through the Eyes of Science (titles translated here from Malayalam) were given awards by the then Madras government. Two other books, Autobiography of Earth and Martians received awards from the Government of India.

Translation He was also an accomplished translator. Late in life, the many years spent translating J.D.Bernal's "Science in History" into Malayalam (four volumes) won him the award for translation for 2002 from Kerala Sahithya Academy. When he was past 90, he took up translation of another book by Bernal, "The Social Function of Science"; the book was published by Sasthra Sahithya Parishad and released in Jan 2012.

Apart from books on science, he also rendered into Malayalam two novels, "The Yearling" by Marjorie Kinnan Rawlings (1956) and "Lament on the Death of a Master of Arts" by Mulkraj Anand; and autobiographies of Albert Schweitzer and Harold Russel (Victory in My Hands).

Other awards Besides being cited for his writing and translation, Nambudiripad had been conferred other awards too, like:- C. Achutha Menon Award 2008 (instituted in memory of Mr. Menon, who was a Chief Minister of Kerala, for achievement in social, scientific, literary and educational fields). Roll of Honour from Chinmaya mission. Nambudiripad, continued to be active in writing, business, and in social and community activities right till the end.