T J S George.
Credit: X/@@siddaramaiah
Eminent journalist, editor, and author Thayil Jacob Sony George, popularly known as TJS George, passed away on Friday, leaving an indelible mark on Indian journalism and the literary world. He was 97.
TJS George was renowned for his sharp wit, uncompromising voice, and a career that spanned over six decades. His professional journey began with Pioneer, and he was associated with Ramnath Goenka and the Indian Express for the longest tenure.
Senior journalist Ramakrishna Upadhya recalled George's dedication as the Editorial Advisor for the Indian Express, Bengaluru, from the early 1980s for over two decades, noting, "He took Bangalore Indian Express to great heights... he gave a lot of encouragement to young reporters." Upadhya also mentioned TJS’s eccentric yet philanthropic nature, exemplified by his claim to be a "one rupee editor," never accepting a salary.
George's influence transcended the newsroom. Fellow senior editor K R Balasubramanyam lauded him as a "philanthropist in disguise" who quietly helped those in trouble, adding, "He used research extensively and he is a stark example on what journalism is and how a journalist should be." Balasubramanyam also credited George with encouraging Sudha Murty to write in English and being the first to publish her work.
Beyond journalism, TJS was a critically acclaimed author. His books include the definitive biography on M S Subbulakshmi and "ASKEW: A Short Biography of Bangalore," which captured the city's spirit through anecdotes about places like Vidyarthi Bhavan and MTR.
George was also the visionary behind the Asian College of Journalism (ACJ) in Bengaluru. Author and journalist C K Meena recalled TJS's integrity and sudden warmth while they worked together setting up ACJ.
Condolences poured in, with Chief Minister Siddaramaiah posting on X that T J S George "was a true public intellectual who made readers think, question and engage." The veteran's legacy will endure through his powerful writings and the countless journalists he mentored.