First Malayalam TV Reporter Dies

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THIRUVANANTHAPURAM, Kerala (SAR News) – Malayalam Television’s first reporter passed away 29 June at Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala’s state capital. He was 48 years old. Survived by his wife and daughter, John Ulahannan was interned at his home parish in Kidangoor near Pala (Kottayam District), 1st July.
His body was kept for public viewing both at Doordarshan Kendra and Press Club Thiruvanathapuram, 30 June. Cutting across Kerala’s political divide several political leaders and ministers paid homage. The Kerala Chief Minister as well as the leader of the opposition also expressed their condolence as well as high words of praise.
“It was really sad to hear about John Ulahannan’s demise. He [was] a very familiar face for everyone who used to watch DD news. He was really talented journalist. Now, I can’t see any T.V reporters around in Malayalam who can be compared with him, in personality and presentation. We will miss him,” says Jo-ban commenting on blog news about Ulahannan’s demise.
The first Malayalee Television reporter, Ulahannan was popular among Doordarshan (state owned television channel) viewers at the time when no other channels were available.
Alumnus of St. Thomas College Pala and Press Club Thiruvananthapuram he started his career with Enadu group’s first English language daily Newstime at Hyderabad in 1985 and joined Doordarshan Thiruvananthapuram in 1989 to become the first Malayalee Television reporter.
Joining Doordarshan’s Malayalam channel, Ulahannan had a meteoric rise as television journalist. He was a familiar face among the Doordarshan viewers for his style of reporting and news presentation.
He reported Gulf War for Doordarshan and was winner of the prestigious “Statesman Award for Rural Reporting” established in 1979 by India’s oldest newspaper The Statesman, Calcutta.

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