Sir Mark Tully, the BBC's 'voice of India', dies aged 90
The renowned broadcaster and journalist Sir Mark Tully, affectionately known as the BBC's 'voice of India', has passed away at the age of 90. For decades, his rich, warm tones resonated with BBC audiences across Britain and the globe, as he covered a myriad of significant events in India, from wars and famines to religious violence and political assassinations. He was a revered foreign correspondent and a respected reporter and commentator, offering unique insights into the country's complex history and culture.
In 1992, Sir Mark faced a perilous moment in Ayodhya, a small city in northern India. He witnessed a mob of Hindu hardliners tearing down an ancient mosque, and some of the crowd, suspicious of the BBC, threatened him, chanting 'Death to Mark Tully'. He was locked in a room for several hours before a local official and a Hindu priest came to his aid.
The demolition of the Babri mosque sparked the worst religious violence in India for many decades, and Sir Mark later described it as the 'gravest setback' to secularism since the country's independence from Britain in 1947.
Sir Mark's dedication to journalism and public service was recognized by the BBC, where he worked as a bureau chief in Delhi and reported for various outlets. He was widely respected in both India and the UK, known for his good cheer, evident affection for India, and his ability to connect with the country's politicians, editors, and social activists. Despite his British nationality, he had deep roots in India, having been born in Calcutta (now Kolkata) in 1935, and he lived there for three-quarters of his life.
Sir Mark's broadcasting style was unique, and he was never an armchair correspondent. He travelled relentlessly across India and neighbouring countries, by train when possible, giving voice to the hopes, fears, trials, and tribulations of ordinary Indians and the country's elite. He was equally at home wearing an Indian kurta as in a shirt and tie.
In 1975, Sir Mark was expelled from India at 24 hours' notice after the then prime minister, Indira Gandhi, declared a state of emergency. However, he returned 18 months later and had been based in Delhi ever since, serving as the BBC's head of bureau for over 20 years. During this time, he covered significant events in South Asia, including the birth of Bangladesh, military rule in Pakistan, the Tamil Tigers' rebellion in Sri Lanka, and the Soviet invasion of Afghanistan.
Sir Mark's commitment to secularism and religious tolerance was evident in his work. He was critical of India's poverty and caste-based inequality but admired his commitment to the religious tolerance that underpinned independent India. In 2016, he emphasized the importance of preserving India's secular culture, allowing every religion to flourish, and avoiding the endangerment of this culture by insisting on Hindu majoritarianism.
Sir Mark was a prolific writer, penning essays, analyses, and short stories about India, often in collaboration with his partner, Gillian Wright. He lived a modest life in south Delhi, never giving up his British nationality but proudly becoming an Overseas Citizen of India in his later years, describing himself as a citizen of both countries he felt he belonged to.
Sir Mark Tully's legacy as a pioneering foreign correspondent and a beloved figure in both India and the UK will be remembered and celebrated for generations to come.
