Guyana Mourns Loss of Broadcasting Icon Dr. Rovin Deodat

Guyana is mourning the death of Dr. Rovin Deodat, the distinctive voice who became familiar to generations through radio and television and whose influence extended well beyond the broadcast studio. He was 85.

Deodat died on Friday, September 11, leaving behind a career spanning more than four decades in broadcasting, communications, education, media training and public service. His passing has prompted an outpouring of tributes from a wide cross-section of Guyanese who remember him not only for his unmistakable voice, but also for his ability to transform broadcasting into a powerful instrument of education and public engagement.

For many listeners, the name Rovin Deodat was inseparable from “From Word to Word,” his long-running programme devoted to the English language. The series ran for decades on State media, explaining the origins, meanings and uses of words while combining scholarship with his characteristic humour and accessible presentation style. NCN recognised the programme in February 2026 as a 35-year-long literary series.