Literary Accomplishments
From his Pen:
Winner of the prestigious Sahitya Akadamy award for his autobiography Marakatha Kathakal (Unforgettable Stories), Dr. S.K. Nayar's writing brought humor, adept recreation of factual detail and literary imagery all packaged into a single stroke of brilliance.
His literary genius combined with his narrative skill, chunked down hard-to-comprehend concepts in a concise, lucid style that a layman could digest. In the fabric of his own writing and presentation, he built ambiguity that challenged scholars to unravel its hidden connotations.
Dr.S.K. Nayar's literary works transcend the realm of prose, poetry, drama, novel, biography, essays, dissertations, treatises etc., and is not limited to the published hard copy books that are available in libraries and publishing houses. His contributions to Malayalam language and literature, mapping of etymological associations condensed the time-to-deliver quality work for many aspiring research students, and increased the bandwidth for universal acceptance of Malayalam as a primary Dravidian language, a sister to Tamil, rather than a progeny of it. He has over 70 hard copy publications and many more articles, essays, songs, scripts, etc., in various languages including Malayalam, English, Sanskrit and Tamil.
(Malayalam books writer: Malayalam literature)
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Biography: People Person, Art Lover & Humanitarian
To unfathomable heights from humble beginnings..
Folk Drama, Art and Fine Arts
Dr. S.K. Nayar, also popularly known as S.K., was noted for his contribution to folk art forms, literature and language that spanned Kerala, Tamil Nadu and the Dravidian culture at large. Many performing artists such as, Padma Subrahmanyam, sought research guidance from him during her thesis work on Natya Shastra. He was also her chief examiner and awarded her the Doctorate degree. Among her other references and reverence to SK Nayar, Padma Subrahmanyam fondly equates him to her own father during her speech at the Centenary celebrations. (Reference: Centenary tab.)
He was a Kathakali exponent and wrote books on Kathakali, while he was also an advocate for reviving ancient dance forms, such as, Koodiyattam. Dr. Dhananjayan, his wife Shanta, renowned actress Padmini and so on, were regular visitors and S.K, had guided, scripted and acted in a few dance drama/radio play series at the request of Padmini. Kathakali was a weakness with S.K. and he left no stone unturned when it came to the nuances of Katahakli padham (verse) expertise, bhava, abhinaya and every nuance of the art form, despite not being ever tutored in the art form. He formed legendary relationships with Kathakali maestros, performing artists, scripted Kathakali and Mohinyattam performances by weaving it into various stage plays of his novels, including Ayyapan, which was successfully converted into a dance drama for the stage.
As a language expert, he researched the history of Indian Prose, Poetry, Drama and Fiction in Malayalam in context with other Indian languages and Sanskrit as the source. He authored books on comparative grammar in Sanskrit, Tamil and Malayalam; drew phonetic and linguistic associations between ancient and modern languages from its derivatives. His research touched upon Western language influences on Indian art forms and was invited as a cultural ambassador and offered University chairs in various regions of the world, including Russia and the US. S.K. translated Kambaramayanam into Malayalam, which won him the title "Malayala Kambar." Delhi, Kolkatta, Andhra, Bangalore, Mysore and many other Universities invited him as a visiting professor, board examiner/question paper-setter, Ph.D and honors‘ evaluator and his books were incorporated into the syllabi of Schools and Colleges.
S.K. was instrumental in establishing educational institutions in Chennai and promoting Malayalee cultural institutions, such as Kerala Samajam etc. There went barely a year that S.K. was not invited to one of the established Colleges or Schools in Chennai to deliver an Onam address. Yet again, SK's presence was sought at as the Chief Guest, one presiding over functions or to be felicitated. Thus, his week was packed with invitations to theater shows, dance recitals, literary and cultural gatherings and one would wonder how S.K. accomplished all this in his lifetime. Despite his busy schedule, he always graced those occasions. He was an orator-par-excellence and held his audience spell-bound with his oratory power, deep throated voice, absorbing references, puns, anecdotes and singing so much so the audience or his students seldom realized that they had just absorbed a complex philosophy or literary abstract as they laughed through that speech or rendition. Education lay at the core of S.K.'s life. He was a teacher at heart despite his other multifaceted achievements and laurels. Asan Memorial group of schools is the brainchild of S.K.
S.K. was born in Aluva on March 26, 1917. His parents were Elanjikoduthu Narayana Pilla and Kunnath Lakshmi Amma. He was the fifth in a family of six children and rose from a struggling financial background. However, no obstacles stood in the way of his thirst for education and for imparting that knowledge because the teacher in him formed the centerpiece of his life journey. While in middle school, he tutored his classmates, seniors, and students young and old.
Child Genius
There is an amusing anecdote about him as a child tutoring a student much older than himself and was called upon by the father of the student. Apparently, the student had failed in every other subject except Malayalam. The father of the student was both perplexed and surprised on seeing this young lad who stood before him but in minutes, he fell under the spell of young S.K.'s knowledge and magnetism, saying "no wonder my son only likes Malayalam now." This story is detailed in his autobiography, Volume 1.
In his ninth grade, he wrote guides for his school syllabus and later at U.C. College, Aluva where he completed his Intermediate in History and authored literary guides, much like Cliff Notes, for complex literary works that assisted his own teachers. His popularity spread and he began writing prefaces, analysis and literary criticism for noted books and authors. His stage acting, public speaking and interest in Kathakali grew.
Literary Realm Connections
Noted literary figures such as, Changampuzha, Edappally Raghavan, G.Shankara Kurup, Chelnattu Achutha Menon, Akitham, K.M.George, K.P. Keshava Dev, Mannathu Padmanabhan and family, Sukumar Azhikode, Thakazhi, S.K.Pottekat, Dr. Leelavathy and many others were household names and he shared a close bond, mutual respect and admiration with many well known literary figures of the time.
S.K. played a large role in mentoring some of the above mentioned scholars in their research leading to their doctorate degree.
Literary rivalry was always an amusing challenge to S.K. Many a time, he engaged in scholarly rebuttals, primarily because his word power, quick wit and word play had a Winstonian flavor to it that I suspect his challengers provoked these mind teasers to get the best out of SK.
Marriage & Children
Spouse: Dr. CL. Meenakshi Amma (April,1924-Novemeber 2008),
Film Censor Board Member, Ayurvedic Practitioner.
How S.K. met Meenakshi his life partner and his marriage to her form a romantic and inspiring part of his autobiography. It was uncommon for the times, not just by virtue of it being a love marriage but also because it was a teacher-student union. Their marriage took place in 1943 when S.K. returned to teach in the Chingavanam school. S.K. Nayar's love for his spouse and family was beyond ordinary.
Eventually, they moved to Madras where S.K. pursued his Masters and began working at the University. S.K. encouraged his wife to continue her academics and she completed her Vidvan, secured a Master's Degree in English Literature and became an ayurvedic Doctor. C.L. Meenakshi Amma authored a book Learn Malayalam in 30 Days.
S.K's family meant the world to him and yes, the world around was his family. He was at once a doting father/caregiver not just to his own children but to his extended family, relatives and any one who who knocked at his door for help. Many of his students were treated as his own children.
Although, he was a strict disciplinarian and could potentially fly into a rage, his heart became a melting lava of emotions within minutes after he realized his own folly. He certainly went more than the extra mile to assist job seekers, school admission seekers, under privileged students, even total strangers who knocked at his door and so on. No one went away without a meal, shelter, some assistance and/or a solid career break.
Many a famous artist once had their humble beginning made at 11 East Circular Road, Mandavalli Pakkam. Thanks to the humanitarian S.K.Nayar
Another novelty was that his wife and children called S.K. "Saar" (teacher) based on the fact that he was his wife's teacher and what started as a fun reference soon became the norm. In fact, everyone who knew him closely, including his children called him Saar. His eight children in the order of birth:
- C.K.Mani (February 1, 1944)
- C.K. Mohan (February 2, 1945– December 11, 2017)
- Valsala Velayudhan Nair (January 8, 1949)
- Vasanthi Rajkumar (September 16, 1950-September 3, 2021)
- C.K.Sarath (June 26, 1953 -July 4, 2021)
- C.K.Suresh (June 5, 1957 ‐ July 23, 2012)
- C.K.Nandakumar (December 28, 1959)
- Lakshmi Nayar (C.K. Lakshmi) (February 8, 1962)
His
Grandchildren
Dr. S.K. Nayar & Dr. C.L. Meenakshi Amma have 17 grandchildren and 16 great grandchildren.
SK's Passing on January 2, 1984
S.K. had envisioned himself working until his last breath and true to his wishes, his sudden demise came hours after a public address, where he delivered a remarkable speech at the World Brahmakumaris meet.
Grandkids today...
Progressive metal....
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