Veteran journalist K Govindan Kutty passes away

Veteran journalist, author and political commentator K Govindan Kutty passed away at his residence here on February 18 after a brief illness, family sources said. He was 81 . Popularly known as KGK in journalistic circles, he is survived by his wife, a son and a daughter.

Govindan Kutty was regarded as one of the most perceptive political journalists Kerala has produced, with a career spanning several decades across Thiruvananthapuram and New Delhi. He was known for his deep understanding of state and national politics and for his ability to break complex political developments with clarity, balance and authority.

He worked with leading media organisations including Indian Express and India Today , and his reporting at the peak of his career set high professional standards for political journalism. His fluent yet incisive prose influenced and mentored a generation of young reporters, many of whom recall his work as a benchmark of ethical and responsible journalism.

Among his major journalistic achievements was breaking the news of the 1977 air crash involving then Prime Minister Morarji Desai at Jorhat in Assam. In the 1980s, he was also among the first journalists to report internal fissures within the CPI(M) in Kerala, developments that later culminated in the expulsion of party leader M V Raghavan in 1986 and a significant split in the organisation.

Apart from journalism, Govindan Kutty was a prolific author who wrote ten books in English and Malayalam. His works included An Intimate Story , a biography of former Chief Election Commissioner T N Seshan, and A Wasted Death: Rise and Fall of Rajan Pillai , a widely read account of the controversial life and death of businessman Rajan Pillai. He also authored political biographies of former Kerala Chief Minister K Karunakaran and former State Finance Minister K M Mani. His Malayalam book Kalakshepam (Time Pass) received critical acclaim for its reflective and insightful engagement with politics and public life.

Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan condoled the death of Govindan Kutty, describing him as a journalist whose work enriched public discourse and strengthened democratic debate in the State.

At a time when journalism is often dismissed as mere sensationalism and there is a growing perception that anyone can practise the profession without training, integrity or accountability, Govindan Kutty’s life and work stand as a reminder of the craft’s higher calling. India continues to have many journalists who remain brave and inspiring, working under pressure and at personal risk to report the truth. While the profession is increasingly viewed as financially uncertain and demanding, his career underscores that journalism, when driven by a passion for truth, courage and public service, remains both relevant and vital. His legacy serves as a message to young reporters that commitment to facts, ethical courage and perseverance can still make one a good journalist, even in challenging times