K.Narayanan, one of The Hindu’s most senior News Editors, passed away on Tuesday in Coimbatore due to prolonged illness. He was 88 years old.
He was affectionately called as KN by those who worked with him. For nearly 5 decades he served The Hindu Group. He started as The Hindu’s Sub-Editor in 1955, rose to the post of News Editor in 1978 and served till 1996 August. Shortly after his retirment, he was appointed as The Hindu’s Consultant. In 2003, he was appointed as Frontline’s consultant and he served in that capacity till 2009.
The Hindu reported that K.Narayanan was a man who always stood for and ensured perfection in the newspaper. People who worked with him had shared that while he was the newspaper’s sub-editor, he would carry with him the latest edition of the newspaper with markings on the structural & technical errors made in the story. He did not forget to appreciate good works equally.
A source mentioned that Mr.Narayanan would read every proof of every story that was sent to the press. He was also an expert in page-layout designing and he would tell the designers whether a particular story will fit or won’t, and would recommend suggestions that were accurate. He was a very important inspiration among the journalists and sub-editors who knew his work’s worth, and their numbers are huge like the legacy he has left for the next generation.