T. N. Gopinathan Nair

T. N. Gopinathan Nair (24 April 1918 – 24 May 1999), was an Indian dramatist, novelist, poet, screenwriter and biographer of Malayalam language. One of the prolific among Malayalam playwrights, Nair published 39 plays, besides his four novels, four poetry anthologies and five biographies. He was a member of the council of Kerala Sahitya Akademi and held the char of the Kerala Sangeetha Nataka Akademi. His drama, Pareeksha, received the Vikraman Nair Trophy for the best drama and the Kerala Sahitya Akademi selected his work, Sakshi, for their annual award for drama in 1979.

Early life and education Gopinathan Nair was born on 24 April 1918 in Thiruvananthapuram, in the south Indian state of Kerala to "Sahityapanchanan" P. K. Narayana Pillai, a noted scholar and lawyer and his wife, Parukutty Amma. His primary education was at Holy Angel's Convent Thiruvananthapuram and after passing 4th standard, he continued his schooling at the Government Model Boys High School before graduating from the Government Arts College, Thiruvananthapuram, then known as Maharaja's College of Arts. Subsequently, he studied law but abandoned the studies after failing in the first year examination and joined Malayalarajyam daily as a special correspondent.

Work Later, after working as a correspondent, he also served as the editor of Malayalarajyam film magazine for a year before founding P. K. Memorial Press, named after his father, from where he published a magazine under the name, Sakhi and a daily by name, Veerakesari. He also started a book stall but all his ventures failed resulting in heavy financial losses. It was to repay the debts, Nair turned to films and he made his debut with Thiramala, a 1953 film, for which wrote the story, screenplay and dialogues; he also acted in the film along with Sathyan and Kumari Thankam. He was associated with many more films including the 1958 film, Nairu Pidicha Pulivalu. The same year, he joined the Thiruvananthapuram station of the All India Radio (AIR) as a director of plays and he served AIR until his superannuation from service in 1975. Later, he served as a consultant to Manorajyam weekly, Akashvani and Doordarshan. which include Ente Mini, an elegiacal reminiscences on the death of his wife. and he acted in 8 films. Pareeksha, one of his plays, received the Vikraman Nair Trophy best drama.

Personal life Gopinathan Nair was married to Saudamini, fondly called Mini, the daughter of noted writer, Kuttippurath Kesavan Nair; the marriage taking place in 1950. The eldest of the children, Ravi Vallathol, was a noted film and television actor. Saudamini predeceased Nair in 1973, and it was in her memory that he later wrote a book named Ente Mini. Nair died on 24 May 1999, at the age of 81.

Selected bibliography Plays

One act plays

Novels

Poetry

Memoirs

Biography

Travelogue

Others

Screenplay

Filmography As an actor

Thiramala (1953) Ashadeepam (1953) Padatha Painkili (1957) Nairu Pidicha Pulivalu (1958) Manavatti (1964) Aana (1983) Vembanaad (1990) Gouri (1992)

As a writer

Thiramala (1953) C.I.D. (1955) Aniyathi (1955) Christmas Rathri Pareeksha (1967)