Veteran Tamil journalist Sudhangan dies aged 63

CHENNAI: Senior journalist Sudhangan, who left a mark in the print and television media with stories that ranged from politics to cinema, died of a lung-related ailment in the city on Saturday. He was 63. Sudhangan was undergoing treatment at a hospital in the city for more than a week.
Beginning his career as a reporter for 'Thisaikal', a Tamil weekly, in 1978, Sudhangan later moved to 'Kumudam' magazine.He edited 'Junior Vikatan', 'Dinamani' and 'Tamizhan Express'. Born as Rangarajan, he later changed his name to Sudhangan as there was already a Rangarajan (Ra Ki Rangarajan) in the Kumudam group. He is survived by a son.
"Sudhangan was known for his investigative reports in Tamil weeklies. A series on the plight of bonded workers evoked tremendous response in the 1980s. There are many such investigative reports that he filed. It was he who gave a face to investigative journalism in Tamil journalism," said political analyst Kasinathan, who had worked under Sudhangan at 'Tamizhan Express'. "He trained many young journalists who are now working for popular Tamil newspapers and TV channels. His specialty was to go deep into the subject," he added.
Sudhangan was polite and a true gentleman. "It was his helping mentality that attracted many to him. He also possessed great leadership qualities," said Kasinathan. He spearheaded a wave of investigative journalism especially through 'Junior Vikatan'. Later, he concentrated on television, having been associated with several TV channels like Raj TV, Vijay TV and Jaya TV.
His book 'Suttachhu Suttachhu' on the rivalry between matinee idol and AIADMK founder M G Ramachandran and celluloid villain M R Radha that led to the off-screen incident when the latter shot at MGR was a bestseller. "The world of journalism has lost a champion," said R Rangaraj of Madras Reporters' Guild.
Expressing condolence, DMK chief M K Stalin recalled Sudhangan's powerful career as a journalist for more than four decades. "He worked with veteran director K Balachandar and he was close to my father Kalaignar Karunanidhi," said Stalin. "I too shared a warm relationship with Sudhangan. His death is a huge loss to the media."
AMMK leader T T V Dinakaran said Sudhangan was a professional in the world of Tamil journalism. "He was a great journalist who never compromised his ideas and ethics. He was very serious about his profession and he stood up for it strongly," he said.