Kochi, 26 Jan (H.S.):Senior journalist and ideologue P. Narayanan, popularly known as Narayanji, has been conferred the Padma Vibhushan, India’s second-highest civilian honour, in recognition of his lifelong contribution to journalism, public life, and ideological discourse. A towering figure in Kerala’s media and socio-political landscape, Narayanan was the long-serving Editor-in-Chief of the Malayalam daily Janmabhumi.
Born on May 28, 1936, in Manakkad village of Thodupuzha taluk in the former Travancore State (now Kerala), Narayanan is among the senior-most Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) functionaries in the State. He has also held key responsibilities in the Bharatiya Jana Sangh—the precursor to the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)—including State Organising General Secretary (1967–77) and membership in the national executive. He later served as State Organising Secretary of the Swadeshi Jagaran Manch.
Narayanan’s journalistic legacy is inseparable from Janmabhumi. From its inception, he played a decisive role in shaping the newspaper’s growth and editorial direction. Over the years, he served in multiple capacities—Manager, Special Correspondent, Editor, and ultimately Chief Editor. Following the retirement of V. M. Korath, he served as Editor-in-Chief from 1992 to 2000.
One of Narayanan’s most enduring contributions to Malayalam journalism is his weekly column “Sanghapathathiloode” (Through the Sangh Path), published from 1999 to 2025. With over 1,200 columns, it stands among the longest-running weekly political columns in India, documenting the lives and struggles of grassroots RSS workers.
Academically, Narayanan studied at Thodupuzha Government High School, Mahatma Gandhi College, Thiruvananthapuram, and later earned a BSc in Physics from University College, Thiruvananthapuram. Choosing the path of a full-time RSS pracharak, he worked across Guruvayur, Kannur, and Kottayam, handling extensive organisational responsibilities.
A prolific author and translator, Narayanan has written around a dozen books and translated over 100 works into Malayalam. He received the Vidyanivas Mishra National Award in 2016 from the Madhya Pradesh government.
The Padma Vibhushan crowns a lifetime of commitment to journalism, public service, and ideological engagement, recognising P. Narayanan as one of Kerala’s most influential public intellectuals.
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Hindusthan Samachar / Arun Lakshman
