Thiruvanananthapuram: Noted Malayalam linguist Prof. Panmana Ramachandran Nair, author of several books on the language including the best-selling Nalla Bhasha, died at his residence at Vazhuthacuad here on Tuesday due to age-related ailments. His cremation will be held at Shanthikavadam, Thycaud at 4p.m. on Wednesday. An academician, grammarian, critic, translator, scholar and editor par excellence, Prof. Nair was born on August, 1931 in Panmana village of Karunagappally Taluk of Kollam district as the only child of Kannakath Kunju Nair and Kaleelil Lakshmikkutty Amma.
He had his early schooling in the Sanskrit school near Panmana Ashram. He passed ESLC from Karunagappally High School and studied in the Intermediate College and graduated in physics from SN College, Kollam. He enrolled for MA Malayalam at University College in Thiruvananthapuram. He secured a first class first rank and the Dr. Godavarma prize for the achievement. He then he worked for two years in the University Lexicon edited by Sooranat Kunjan Pillai. He joined Palakkad Victoria College as lecturer in 1960.
Prof Nair taught at seven colleges during his 28-year-long career before retiring as head of the Department of Malayalam at University College in 1987. He had served in the committees of Kerala Sahitya Akademi, Kerala Kalamandalam and Sahitya Pravarthaka Sahakarana Sangham. He has authored 20 books, including five on the correct usage of Malayalam language and five for children. His language books Thetum Seriyum, Thetilaatha Malayalam, Suddha Malayalam, Thetillatha Uchcharanam and Bhasha Suddhi Samsaya Pariharangal, were products of his interaction with students and dealt with the use and abuse of language in daily life. He also wrote several books of children's literature, which have been collected as Panmanayude Balasahitya Krithikal.
