Bengaluru, October 3 (NationPress) - The esteemed journalist, author, and Padma Bhushan laureate Thayil Jacob Sony George, known to many as T.J.S. George, has sadly passed away in a private hospital in Bengaluru on Friday.

T.J.S. George, a 97-year-old luminary in the fields of writing and journalism, hailed from Kerala and spent the majority of his life in Bengaluru. He is survived by his children, Sheba Thayil and author-poet Jeet Thayil.

The Chief Minister of Karnataka, Siddaramaiah, expressed his sorrow over George's demise, stating, "I am deeply saddened by the loss of veteran journalist, editor, and author T.J.S. George."

“With his incisive writing and unwavering voice, he significantly enriched Indian journalism for over six decades. He was a genuine public intellectual who inspired readers to think critically, question norms, and engage deeply,” CM Siddaramaiah remarked.

He extended his heartfelt condolences to George's family, colleagues, and numerous fans.

Union Minister H.D. Kumaraswamy also expressed his sorrow, remarking, "Hearing about the passing of Padma Bhushan Shri T.J.S. George, a distinguished journalist and author, deeply saddened me."

“Having held numerous prominent roles — including editor, editorial director, and advisor for both national and international publications — he was indeed a 'wealth of experience.' I have closely followed his Point of View column in The New Indian Express,” he noted.

After reading his book MS – A Life in Music, which chronicles the life of the legendary musician M.S. Subbulakshmi, I was profoundly impressed by his literary talent, Kumaraswamy stated.

He concluded with a prayer for the departed soul to attain eternal peace, stating, "May God grant strength to his family, admirers, and well-wishers during this difficult time. Om Shanti."

Deputy Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar also expressed profound sadness over the loss of veteran journalist, columnist, and author T.J.S. George.

“T.J.S. George was a monumental figure in Indian journalism whose fearless intellect and literary excellence shaped public discourse for the past six decades. He was more than a journalist; he was a seeker of truth, a keeper of conscience, and a chronicler of our times,” stated the Deputy CM in a press release.

“His pioneering contributions to journalism were remarkable. As the founding editor of Asiaweek and through his extensive involvement with leading publications, he maintained the highest standards of editorial integrity and democratic accountability.

“His columns were characterized by clarity, courage, and socio-cultural insights, fusing journalistic rigor with literary grace,” he added.

“He was a prolific writer as well. His biographies of M.S. Subbulakshmi, N.T. Rama Rao, Nargis, and others are widely recognized. His book Askew beautifully captures present-day Bengaluru against the backdrop of its past, revealing the rich intricacies of our city.

I extend my condolences to his family both personally and on behalf of the Karnataka government,” he stated.

Earlier, in June 2022, he concluded his long-running weekly column “Point of View” in The New Indian Express, which he had written for approximately 25 years.