Early Life

Madhu Vasudevan was born in 1969 in the coastal city, Alappuzha in Kerala.

He was the youngest of the five children born to P. Vasudevan and M P Karthiyayani. His father P. Vasudevan was trained in Classical music and was associated with the communist party movements in Kerala. He acted and sang songs in several progressive dramas powered by the Communist party. His mother was an avid reader who guided Madhu Vasudevan to the world of reading.

Hailing from a poor economic background, Madhu Vasudevan completed his primary education at Polabhagam Jbs, a government school in Alappuzha. During his childhood days, he learnt Drawing and Painting and Portrait at Apsara School of Arts. He completed his high school education from SDV Boys High School.

Madhu Vasudevan’s interest in music developed in his early childhood when his father used to take him to the festivals at Mullakkal Rajarajeswari and Bhuvaneshwari Temples in Alappuzha where many Stalwarts in Carnatic music and Classical dancers performed. He got familiarised with various Ragas and theories of Indian Classical Music through various such concerts.

Madhu Vasudevan was introduced to the world literature during his Pre-Degree at S D College, Kalarkode. He was deeply influenced by a young lecturer, Akshaya kumar, who later passed away at a tender age due to cancer.

Madhu graduated with University rank in Hindi Literature from S D College. He joined Maharaja’s College, Ernakulam for Post-Graduation and later moved to Cochin University of Science and Technology (CUSAT) to complete it. Under the guidance of the well-known professors such as Dr. P V Vijayan, Dr. Ramachandra Dev, Dr. Ramanan Nair, Dr. A Aravindakshan, he completed his Post Graduation with rank in the University Exam.

During his CUSAT days, Madhu was part of many cultural activities. He was the coordinator of programs by SPIC MACAY, Secretary of SAMSKARA- a cultural organization of staff, teachers and students of CUSAT. He was the secretary of the Kerala Sasthra Sahithya Parishad, CUSAT chapter and a member in its district committee.

Deeply inspired by Kalleli Raghavan Pillai, who was a winner of prestigious awards from the Hon'ble President of India, Governor of the State, Chief Minister of Kerala, Speaker State Assembly, Holy Father John Paul II, Arch Bishop Benedict Mar Gregorious, District Collector and Municipal Chairperson on different occasions, Madhu Vasudevan took to the world of creative writing.

He edited and published a cultural magazine from CUSAT named AYANAM, which was popular among the youth for its political and cultural vision.

During that period many of his illustrations and cartoons were published in popular magazines. Having won many prizes in Cartooning, Madhu represented the college in Kerala university youth festival and won prizes.

Madhu Vasudevan completed his Doctoral studies on ‘Journalism and Cultural Values in Little Magazines in Hindi” under the guidance of Dr. A Aravindakshan, Former Pro Vice Chancellor of Wardha Central University and was awarded PhD in 1995.

He also completed a Post Graduate Diploma course in Journalism from Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan.

While pursuing the Bachelor of Education in Kozhikode, the cultural climate of Kozhikode and the various music festivals in Thali, coupled with the encouragement from Sri. KC Narayanan, Editor of Bhashaposhini Magazine, Dr. KM Venugopal and Ramanujan, S Jayachandran Nair, Editor of ‘Samakalika Malayalam’ weekly, P Ravikumar- literary editor of Kalakoumudi, V D Selvaraj Deputy Editor of Kalakoumidi influenced him to write many articles related to music.