Thiruvananthapuram, February 19 Veteran journalist and author K Govindan Kutty died at his residence here on February 18 after a brief illness, family sources said.
Govindan Kutty, 81, is survived by his wife, son, and daughter.
Kutty, known as KGK in the journalistic community, had extensive knowledge of politics in Kerala and at the national level, and had a distinguished career as a reporter and editor in Thiruvananthapuram and New Delhi.
He was the journalist who broke the news of the air crash involving then Prime Minister Morarji Desai in 1977 at Jorhat in Assam.
He was one of the journalists who first reported on the internal divisions within the monolithic structure of the CPI(M) in Kerala in the 1980s, which later led to the expulsion of its leading figure, M V Raghavan, in 1986, and the split in the party.
His journalistic writing during his peak years with "The Indian Express" served as a model for young journalists of that era. His fluent yet sharp writing style attracted and shaped many aspiring young journalists.
Kutty, who had a long and distinguished career with "The Indian Express" and "India Today," also authored ten books in English and Malayalam.
His notable works include "An Intimate Story," a biography of former Chief Election Commissioner T N Seshan, and "A Wasted Death: Rise and Fall of Rajan Pillai," a biography of "Biscuit King" Rajan Pillai.
He also authored the political biographies of former Kerala Chief Minister K Karunakaran and former state Finance Minister K M Mani. His Malayalam work, "Kalakshepam" (Time Pass), also received critical acclaim.
In a message, Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan condoled the death of Govindan Kutty.