M.G.S. Narayanan was a fearless critic of power, recalls historian Rajan Gurukkal
M.G.S. Narayanan's demise is indeed a major loss. A world renowned historian from Kerala, who made a radical shift in the historiography of early south India in general and Kerala in particular, has passed away leaving a lasting gap not easily bridgeable. He was able to put the Department of History of the University of Calicut, where he had served as the head for over 15 years, prominently on the world map of academic research in history.
He was a nationally emulated historian of leftist perspective adhering to Marx's theory, but at the same time, a right liberalist positioned against communalism of all types. He is known for his thesis on the Perumals of Kerala, which A.L. Basham, the renowned Indologist, praised as a heavily documented awe-inspiring thesis full of insights normally uncommon in a regional history.
He has not published many books, but all that he brought out are seminal works containing path-breaking interpretations that shook the historiography of south India. In the historian's craft, methodology, and erudition, MGS has made lasting contributions.
MGS, the teacher
As a teacher, MGS in the classroom taught the source-based creation of historical knowledge but outside the classroom he made engaged learning plausible through arguments and self-criticism. It was his passion for arguing with his students without being flippant under the prejudice of their knowledge or experience, which provided students the challenging task of engaged learning. I remember occasions of unquestioned acceptance of his views by students exciting dissent in him. He used to question his own views quoted by his students. He would not leave them unless they capture the thought process behind his ideas.
He was the central voice in the Indian History Congress during the first NCERT textbook controversy during the Janata government (1977-79). The community of historians in the country honour him for his fearless criticism of power. His demise, hence, draws nation-wide attention.
(as told to G. Krishnakumar)
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