Malayalam literary critic passes away

Thiruvananthapuram, Feb 23 (UNI) Eminent Malayalam literary critic and columinist M Krishnan Nair died today following a cardial arrest at a private nursing home here.

He was 83. Prof Nair is surived by his wife and five daughters.

His only son died in an accident in 1982.

Prof Nair was under treatment for the past two months and admitted to the hospital on February 21 after his condition worsened. He died following a cardiac arrest today.

Prof Nair started his career as a teacher in the University and Government Arts Colleges and retired from the Mahararajas College as a Professsor in 1978.

The ''Sahithya Varabhalam'', a literary critic column, handled by him during the last 45 years in various periodicals like Malayala Nadu, Kalakaumudi and Malayalam weekly, gave him a prominent place in the literary field.

His first feature was published in ''Navajeevan'' while he was studying in the eighth standard. ''Adhoonika Malayla Kavitha'' (modern Malayalam poems) was the first book published by him.

UNI CGV RR RAI1913