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Time of India

Because of MGS Narayanan, stones of Edakkal still speak

1 2 3 Kozhikode: Even while standing tall as a towering figure in Indian historiography, MGS Narayanan carried within him an activist's spirit. His decisive intervention was key in protecting the Edakkal Caves — Wayanad 's preeminent archaeological site known for its ancient petroglyphs — from the clutches of the quarry mafia. Wayanad Prakrithi Samrakshana Samithi (WPSS) president N Badusha said that on learning that the state had granted permission for quarrying activities dangerously close to the Edakkal caves, MGS rushed to Wayanad and personally led the protest before the district collectorate in 1986. Responding to MGS's call for support, renowned historian Irfan Habib, who was member secretary of the Indian History Congress directly met then prime minister Rajiv Gandhi which led to the ban on quarrying activities in the Ambukuthi hils. "The nationwide support for the cause of Edakkal was largely due to the tireless efforts of historians under MGS's leadership. Without their intervention, Edakkal might today have been reduced to rubble," said Badusha. Following the success of the Edakkal movement, MGS, along with Rajan Gurukkal, MR Raghava Varier and others embarked on a systematic exploration of Wayanad's historical landscape. Their efforts led to the discovery of many petroglyphs and the identification and documentation of Jain temples — locally known as Kallambalams — in central Wayanad. They unearthed numerous ancient burial sites and places of historical interest in the Ambukuthi valley. They also found statues and sculptures from the Vijayanagara empire and earlier periods, scattered across forests in Muthanga, Rampur, Mavinhalla and Thirunelli. Beyond his scholarly pursuits, MGS remained deeply involved in other social causes as well. In his later years, he spearheaded the agitation demanding the development of the Mananchira–Vellimadukunnu road, which passed near his residence in Malaparamba. Undeterred by age, MGS even led sit-in and held protests for the cause even in his old age and served as the chairman of the Mananchira-Vellimadukunnu Road Development Action Committee. MGS had once jokingly shared that someone even called him from Pathanamthitta and asked whether he would come to solve their road development issue issues. Kozhikode: Even while standing tall as a towering figure in Indian historiography, MGS Narayanan carried within him an activist's spirit. His decisive intervention was key in protecting the Edakkal Caves — Wayanad's preeminent archaeological site known for its ancient petroglyphs — from the clutches of the quarry mafia. Wayanad Prakrithi Samrakshana Samithi (WPSS) president N Badusha said that on learning that the state had granted permission for quarrying activities dangerously close to the Edakkal caves, MGS rushed to Wayanad and personally led the protest before the district collectorate in 1986. Responding to MGS's call for support, renowned historian Irfan Habib, who was member secretary of the Indian History Congress directly met then prime minister Rajiv Gandhi which led to the ban on quarrying activities in the Ambukuthi hils. "The nationwide support for the cause of Edakkal was largely due to the tireless efforts of historians under MGS's leadership. Without their intervention, Edakkal might today have been reduced to rubble," said Badusha. Following the success of the Edakkal movement, MGS, along with Rajan Gurukkal, MR Raghava Varier and others embarked on a systematic exploration of Wayanad's historical landscape. Their efforts led to the discovery of many petroglyphs and the identification and documentation of Jain temples — locally known as Kallambalams — in central Wayanad. They unearthed numerous ancient burial sites and places of historical interest in the Ambukuthi valley. They also found statues and sculptures from the Vijayanagara empire and earlier periods, scattered across forests in Muthanga, Rampur, Mavinhalla and Thirunelli. Beyond his scholarly pursuits, MGS remained deeply involved in other social causes as well. In his later years, he spearheaded the agitation demanding the development of the Mananchira–Vellimadukunnu road, which passed near his residence in Malaparamba. Undeterred by age, MGS even led sit-in and held protests for the cause even in his old age and served as the chairman of the Mananchira-Vellimadukunnu Road Development Action Committee. MGS had once jokingly shared that someone even called him from Pathanamthitta and asked whether he would come to solve their road development issue issues.