Sir Mark Tully, the veteran broadcaster and writer who became one of the most trusted voices explaining India to the world, has died. Born in Calcutta, he developed a lifelong connection with India that later shaped his journalism and public life.
Although educated in Britain, Sir Mark returned to India as a young journalist and went on to spend decades reporting from the country for the BBC. Unlike many foreign correspondents, he did not observe India from a distance. He lived among its people, travelled extensively, and allowed the country’s complexity to guide his reporting. This approach earned him rare credibility among Indian audiences and listeners abroad.
His voice became familiar during some of the most important moments in modern Indian history. What set him apart was not just the events he covered, but the manner in which he covered them. His reports were calm, balanced and rich in context, focusing on people and consequences rather than drama.
Beyond broadcasting, Sir Mark Tully was also a thoughtful author. His writing reflected a deep interest in India’s villages, traditions, faith and social change. He consistently argued that India could not be understood through quick headlines, but only through patience and listening.
Though British by nationality, Sir Mark Tully was widely regarded as a friend of India. With his passing, journalism loses a rare voice — one that believed honesty, humility and understanding were the foundations of good reporting.
