T. J. S. George
Encyclopedia
Thayil Jacob Sony George (born 7 May 1928), better known as TJS George, is a writer and biographer who received a Padma Bhushan
award in 2011 in the field of literature and education. The fourth of eight siblings, TJS was born in Kerala
, India
to Thayil Thomas Jacob, a magistrate, and Chachiamma Jacob, a housewife. He lives in Bangalore
, India with his wife Ammu. He has a daughter, Sheba Thayil, and a son, Jeet Thayil
. His roots are in Thumpamon
, Kerala, India.
in Madras (now Chennai
), India, with an Honours degree in English Literature, he began his career in Bombay's (now Mumbai
) Free Press Journal in 1950. He moved through the International Press Institute
, The Searchlight, and the Far Eastern Economic Review
to become the founding editor of Asiaweek
(Hong Kong).
He is currently the Editorial Advisor of The New Indian Express
. A veteran senior journalist and one of the best known columnists in India, he continues his fight against social injustice, corruption and political anarchies through his columns in Indian Express.
Besides being an editor, columnist, author and eternal wordsmith, he has also been a longtime China
watcher. After a gap of 10 years, he went back to China in 2008 to witness the Olympic preparations and wrote a series of articles about modern China.
Padma Bhushan
The Padma Bhushan is the third highest civilian award in the Republic of India, after the Bharat Ratna and the Padma Vibhushan, but comes before the Padma Shri. It is awarded by the Government of India.-History:...
award in 2011 in the field of literature and education. The fourth of eight siblings, TJS was born in Kerala
Kerala
or Keralam is an Indian state located on the Malabar coast of south-west India. It was created on 1 November 1956 by the States Reorganisation Act by combining various Malayalam speaking regions....
, India
India
India , officially the Republic of India , is a country in South Asia. It is the seventh-largest country by geographical area, the second-most populous country with over 1.2 billion people, and the most populous democracy in the world...
to Thayil Thomas Jacob, a magistrate, and Chachiamma Jacob, a housewife. He lives in Bangalore
Bangalore
Bengaluru , formerly called Bengaluru is the capital of the Indian state of Karnataka. Bangalore is nicknamed the Garden City and was once called a pensioner's paradise. Located on the Deccan Plateau in the south-eastern part of Karnataka, Bangalore is India's third most populous city and...
, India with his wife Ammu. He has a daughter, Sheba Thayil, and a son, Jeet Thayil
Jeet Thayil
Jeet Thayil is an Indian poet. Born in Kerala, he is best known as a writer, performance poet and musician. He is the author of four collections of poetry, including These Errors Are Correct and English , and is editor of the Bloodaxe Book of Contemporary Indian Poets . Educated in Hong Kong, New...
. His roots are in Thumpamon
Thumpamon
Thumpamon is a village in Pathanamthitta District, Kerala, India. One of the greatest attractions of this village is the Achenkovil River, which is renowned for its natural sceneries along the riverbank. The income in this locality mainly depends on Non-Resident Indians and crops like rubber,...
, Kerala, India.
Career and writing style
T. J. S. George has achieved distinction internationally as a professional author, serious political columnist and biographer with a series of major books. After graduating from Madras Christian CollegeMadras Christian College
The Madras Christian College, commonly known as MCC, is a liberal arts and sciences college in Madras , India. Founded in 1837, MCC is one of Asia's oldest extant colleges. Currently, the college is affiliated to the University of Madras, but functions as an autonomous institution from its campus...
in Madras (now Chennai
Chennai
Chennai , formerly known as Madras or Madarasapatinam , is the capital city of the Indian state of Tamil Nadu, located on the Coromandel Coast off the Bay of Bengal. Chennai is the fourth most populous metropolitan area and the sixth most populous city in India...
), India, with an Honours degree in English Literature, he began his career in Bombay's (now Mumbai
Mumbai
Mumbai , formerly known as Bombay in English, is the capital of the Indian state of Maharashtra. It is the most populous city in India, and the fourth most populous city in the world, with a total metropolitan area population of approximately 20.5 million...
) Free Press Journal in 1950. He moved through the International Press Institute
International Press Institute
International Press Institute is a global organisation dedicated to the promotion and protection of press freedom and the improvement of journalism practices. Founded in October 1950, the IPI has members in over 120 countries....
, The Searchlight, and the Far Eastern Economic Review
Far Eastern Economic Review
The Far Eastern Economic Review was an English language Asian news magazine started in 1946. It printed its final issue in December 2009. The Hong Kong-based business magazine was originally published weekly...
to become the founding editor of Asiaweek
Asiaweek
Asiaweek, the English edition, was a news magazine focusing on Asia, published weekly by Asiaweek Limited, a subsidiary of Time Inc. Based in Hong Kong, it was established in 1975, and ceased publication with its December 7, 2001 issue due to a "downturn in the advertising market," according to...
(Hong Kong).
He is currently the Editorial Advisor of The New Indian Express
The New Indian Express
The New Indian Express is an Indian English-language broadsheet daily newspaper published by the Express Publications. It was founded in 1932 as the Indian Express, under the ownership of Chennai-based P. Varadarajulu Naidu. In 1991, following the death of the then owner Ramnath Goenka, the Goenka...
. A veteran senior journalist and one of the best known columnists in India, he continues his fight against social injustice, corruption and political anarchies through his columns in Indian Express.
Besides being an editor, columnist, author and eternal wordsmith, he has also been a longtime China
China
Chinese civilization may refer to:* China for more general discussion of the country.* Chinese culture* Greater China, the transnational community of ethnic Chinese.* History of China* Sinosphere, the area historically affected by Chinese culture...
watcher. After a gap of 10 years, he went back to China in 2008 to witness the Olympic preparations and wrote a series of articles about modern China.
Books
- Krishna MenonKrishna MenonVengalil Krishnan Krishna Menon , commonly referred to as Krishna Menon, was an Indian nationalist, diplomat and statesman, described as the second most powerful man in India by Time Magazine and others, after his ally and intimate friend, Jawaharlal Nehru.Described as "vitriolic,...
(London: Jonathan Cape, 1964; OCLC 2882534 / New York: Taplinger, 1965; OCLC 409386) offers a remarkable insight into the baffling personality of the Indian statesman and freedom fighter who “inspired a few, infuriated many and embarrassed all". - Lee Kuan YewLee Kuan YewLee Kuan Yew, GCMG, CH is a Singaporean statesman. He was the first Prime Minister of the Republic of Singapore, governing for three decades...
’s Singapore (London: André Deutsch, 1973; ISBN 9780233965178) is a penetrating analysis of the policies and predilections of this controversial leader. - The Life and Times of NargisNargisNargis Dutt , born Fatima Rashid but known by her screen name, Nargis, was an Indian film actress. She is widely regarded as one of the greatest actresses in the history of Hindi cinema. She made her screen debut as a child in Talash-E-Haq in 1935, but her acting carer began in 1942 with Tamanna...
(New Delhi: Megatechnics, 1994; ISBN 9788172231491), an elegant and informative book about the eternal artiste who goes beyond the Hindi film industryBollywoodBollywood is the informal term popularly used for the Hindi-language film industry based in Mumbai , Maharashtra, India. The term is often incorrectly used to refer to the whole of Indian cinema; it is only a part of the total Indian film industry, which includes other production centers producing...
, is a throwback to a Golden Age of artistic talent untainted by technology or commercialism. - The Enquire Dictionary: Ideas, Issues, Innovations (New DelhiNew DelhiNew Delhi is the capital city of India. It serves as the centre of the Government of India and the Government of the National Capital Territory of Delhi. New Delhi is situated within the metropolis of Delhi. It is one of the nine districts of Delhi Union Territory. The total area of the city is...
: HarperCollins, 1998; ISBN 9788172233778) includes Indian and East Asian terms that are conspicuously absent in Western dictionaries. - The Enquire Dictionary of Quotations (New Delhi: HarperCollins, 2001; ISBN 9788172234171) reflects Indian thought, ancient and modern.
- Lessons in Journalism - The Story of Pothan Joseph (New Delhi: Viva Books, 2007; ISBN 9788130907888. See also Pothan Joseph's India, New Delhi: Sanchar Pub. House, 1992; ISBN 9788172030087) depicts the colourful life of the legendary editor and freedom fighter whose career highlights the importance of professionalism and values in journalism.
- The First Refuge of Scoundrels: Politics in Modern India (Chennai: Express Publications, 2003; ISBN 9788186013052) is a collection of articles from TJS George's weekly column, "Point of View", that was a regular feature of The New Indian Express for 10 years.
- Revolt in Mindanao: The Rise of Islam in Philippine Politics (London: Oxford University PressOxford University PressOxford University Press is the largest university press in the world. It is a department of the University of Oxford and is governed by a group of 15 academics appointed by the Vice-Chancellor known as the Delegates of the Press. They are headed by the Secretary to the Delegates, who serves as...
, 1980; ISBN 9780195804607) - Revolt in Bihar: A study of the August 1965 uprising (New Delhi: Perspective Publications, 1965; OCLC 7368391)
- Moments (Patna: Searchlight Press, 1965; OCLC 2870547) is a collection of articles from "Sidelights," the author's editorial column of The Searchlight newspaper, Bihar, India, 1964-65.
- The Provincial Press in India (New Delhi: Press Institute of India, 1966; OCLC 133804) discusses several aspects of the growth of Indian language newspapers.
- Editing: A Handbook for Journalists (New Delhi: Indian Institute of Mass Communications, 1989; OCLC 65172561) foresees the threat of electronic competition and redefines the new role of the print media editor .
- (ed.) India 1000 to 2000: the story of a 1000 years (Chennai: Express Publications, 2000; ISBN 9788186013045) A Millennium Book of Reference.
- (ed.) India at 50: Facts, Figures and Analyses 1947 - 1997 (Chennai: Express Publications, 1997; ISBN 9788186013038)
- MS - A Life in Music, (New Delhi: HarperCollins, 2004; ISBN 9788172235277) "unravels the saga of one of India's most revered musicians", M. S. SubbulakshmiM. S. SubbulakshmiMadurai Shanmukhavadivu Subbulakshmi , also known as M.S., was a renowned Carnatic vocalist. She was the first musician ever to be awarded the Bharat Ratna, India's highest civilian honor. She is the first Indian musician to receive...
, "who broke through the barriers of class and caste to be accepted by the puritanical upper crust of South Indian society and applauded by the male-dominated bastion of Carnatic musicCarnatic musicCarnatic music is a system of music commonly associated with the southern part of the Indian subcontinent, with its area roughly confined to four modern states of India: Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, Kerala, and Tamil Nadu...
in Madras". - The GoenkaRamnath GoenkaRamnath Goenka was a newspaper baron of India. He launched The Indian Express and created the Indian Express Group with various English and regional language publications...
Letters: Behind the scenes in The Indian Express (Chennai: East West Books, 2006; ISBN 9788188661503) provides "an insight into the hidden and often selfish and petty side of some of the mightiest icons of Indian politics", as well as "vignettes of a period when journalism [in India] underwent a metamorphosis." - Nātōtikkappalil nālumāsam (KottayamKottayamKottayam is a city in the Indian state of Kerala, spread over an area of 55.40 km2. It is the administrative capital of the Kottayam district. Kottayam Kottayam (Malayalam: കോട്ടയം) is a city in the Indian state of Kerala, spread over an area of 55.40 km2. It is the administrative...
: DC Books, 2006; ISBN 9788126413836. This is a Malayalam translation by Malayatoor Ramakrishnan, illustrations by Bal ThackerayBal ThackerayBal Keshav Thackeray , popularly known as Balasaheb Thackeray, is an Indian politician, founder and chief of the Shiv Sena, a right-wing Hindu nationalist, and Marathi ethnocentric party active mainly in the western Indian state of Maharashtra.Born in Pune, Thackeray began his professional career...
. Original title: Journalist at sea) describes the author's travels to Africa, England and Europe in a merchant ship. - Ghōshayāthra (Kottayam: DC Books, 2008; ISBN 9788126419562), memoirs written in his native language, Malayalam, is an egoless "procession", "a journey set off from Bombay to New York through Hong Kong" and includes "a historical account of modern Indian English journalism".
Awards
- Basheer Puraskaram Award (2008)
- Rajyotsava Award (2007)
- Mohammed Koya Journalism Award (2005)
- Patrika Academy Award (2001).
- Padma Bhushan (2011)
External links
- Q&A: TJS on journalism
- Yours Krishna Menon, a period play staged in London