K.J. Kumar (74), a senior journalist and a resident of Yadavagiri, passed away following a heart attack at a private hospital in city yesterday.

He leaves behind his wife Usha, daughter Sunaya Shetty, sister former Corporator Pramila Prakash and a host of relatives and friends.

Last rites were held at the foot of Chamundi Hill this afternoon.

Born on Nov. 6, 1952 to Raghuram Shetty and Sharada at Korandara Palya in Udupi district, Kumar not only served as the newspaper distributor but also served as a journalist for about 56 years.

He began his stint as a journalist for ‘Vijaya’ and later became its printer and publisher. As a cinema journalist, he had served for ‘Sudha’ ‘Roopathaara’ and ‘Vijaya’ monthly magazines. In 1993, he served as Mysuru Correspondent for ‘Udayavani.’ He later served as a cinema journalist for ‘Hosa Digantha.’

Kumar had also opened ‘Kuteera Mane,’ a vegetarian restaurant at Saraswathipuram.