MVK
Journalist and Broadcaster

M. V. Kamath

Born 16 November 1921 · Karnataka — Died 9 October 2014

Served as chairman of Prasar Bharati, India's public broadcasting agency.

Madhav Vittal Kamath was an Indian journalist and broadcasting executive, and the chairman of Prasar Bharati. He worked as the editor of The Sunday Times for two years from 1967 to 1969, as Washington correspondent for The Times of India from 1969 to 1978 and also as editor of The Illustrated Weekly of India. He had also written numerous books and was conferred with the Padma Bhushan award in 2004. He was born in a brahmin family.

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A detail that
surprised us

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Kamath co-authored a Narendra Modi biography in 2009 when Modi's reputation was heavily contested due to the 2002 Gujarat riots.

The Story

1
In 1967, M. V. Kamath took charge as editor of The Sunday Times, steering the publication during a politically charged era until 1969.
2
🌍 From 1969 to 1978, Kamath served as the Washington correspondent for The Times of India, reporting on US politics over a turbulent decade marked by Vietnam War protests and the Watergate scandal.
3Back in India, he edited The Illustrated Weekly of India, a magazine known for shaping public opinion through the 1970s and 1980s, blending journalism with cultural commentary.
4🏛️ In 2004, Kamath was awarded the Padma Bhushan, one of India’s highest civilian honors, recognizing his decades-long career in journalism and broadcasting leadership.

🏅 Awards & Honours

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Padma Bhushan

🔍 One thing most people don't know

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In 2009, Kamath co-authored a book defending Narendra Modi’s political rise despite widespread criticism following the 2002 Gujarat riots, reflecting his close alignment with Hindutva perspectives.

📸 Through the Years

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🗓️ A Life in Moments

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Birth
Birth in Karnataka
Madhav Vittal Kamath was born in a Brahmin family in Karnataka, India.
1921
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Career
Editor of The Sunday Times
Kamath became the editor of The Sunday Times, serving until 1969.
1967
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Career
Washington Correspondent
He began his role as Washington correspondent for The Times of India, covering US politics until 1978.
1969
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Award
Awarded Padma Bhushan
Kamath was conferred the Padma Bhushan for his contributions to journalism and broadcasting.
2004
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Publication
Co-authored Narendra Modi Biography
Published Narendra Modi: The Architect of a Modern State during a politically sensitive period.
2009
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Death
Death due to Cardiac Arrest
Kamath died at Kasturba Hospital after hospitalization for geriatric ailments.
2014
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🗝️Discoveries

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01 / 04
💡SURPRISING

Kamath’s column after the 1999 murder of Christian missionary Graham Staines controversially justified the killing as a reaction against religious conversions, highlighting his stance on communal issues.

02 / 04
🌍HISTORICAL IMPACT

During his tenure as Washington correspondent (1969–1978), Kamath reported from the US during the Watergate scandal and the Vietnam War protests, critical moments for global politics.

03 / 04
🏆ACHIEVEMENT

Kamath edited The Illustrated Weekly of India, a publication that blended cultural narratives with political reporting, influencing Indian middle-class opinion in the 1970s and 1980s.

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🌱 What changed because of them

M. V. Kamath shaped Indian journalism by bringing international political perspectives through his Washington correspondent role and edited major publications that influenced public discourse. His leadership at Prasar Bharati marked a critical phase in public broadcasting adapting to new media challenges. His controversial ideological positions sparked debates on the role of media in communal politics, impacting discussions on journalistic neutrality in India.

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