Veteran Journalist Uday Kulkarni Dies at 74, Leaves Legacy of Environmental Activism

Veteran Marathi journalist, writer and environmental activist Uday Kulkarni died in Kolhapur on October 15, 2026, at the age of 74 after a prolonged illness, leaving behind a legacy that extended well beyond newspaper reporting. Known for his commitment to public-interest journalism, he spent decades highlighting environmental concerns, supporting social reform movements and promoting scientific awareness. His death came shortly before the planned release of his autobiography, Khalal, which he had recently completed.

Kulkarni began his journalistic career with the Marathi daily Kesari in 1979. Originally from Kavalikatty village in Gadhinglaj taluka, near the Maharashtra–Karnataka border, he went on to contribute to Maharashtra Times, Loksatta, Sakal, Lokmat, Navakal, Prahar and the magazine Chitralekha. He also contributed to the Press Trust of India (PTI) for a period and served as president of the Kolhapur Press Club.

Environmental conservation remained a defining aspect of his work. Kulkarni supported campaigns to protect Rankala Lake, address pollution in the Panchganga River, preserve biodiversity in the Western Ghats and highlight the environmental consequences of bauxite mining. He was associated with the Save the Western Ghats movement and the Narmada Bachao Andolan and raised concerns about the potential environmental impact of the Almatti dam. The Kirloskar Vasundhara organisation recognised his sustained contributions with its Vasundhara Lifetime Achievement honour.

Beyond environmental issues, Kulkarni contributed to Vidnyan Prabodhini and Vidnyan Yatra, initiatives promoting scientific awareness and rational thinking. He participated in efforts to challenge superstition by explaining the science behind purported miracles. His social engagement included the anti-gutkha campaign, efforts concerning the devadasi system, the Bhaliraja dam initiative and the establishment of the Chetana organisation. He also helped organise Kolhapur's first aeromodelling show and supported community initiatives.

Kulkarni maintained connections with prominent cultural figures, including Baba Amte, Lata Mangeshkar, Raj Kapoor, Dev Anand, Dilip Kumar and Smita Patil. His interests extended to literature, cinema, music and theatre. His book Bhirbhir, published in October 2025, reflected his observations of public and cultural life.

His autobiography, Khalal, was scheduled for release the following week, with environmentalist Rajendra Singh expected to launch it. Journalist Ashwini Tembe documented his recollections. His death preceded the planned event.

Kulkarni's legacy rests on his combination of journalism, environmental advocacy, social reform and science communication. While his Vasundhara honour is a documented recognition of his contributions, no separate major national or international award could be independently verified from the sources reviewed.