Veteran journalist Krishna Vattam passes away at 84

Mysuru: Veteran journalist Mr Krishna Vattam who served in the field of journalism for over six decades breathed his last  at a city hospital here on Wednesday morning. He was 84. Hospitalised for breathlessness and weakness four days ago, Mr Vattam passed away after he suffered a heart attack Wednesday morning.

He is survived by his wife Kamala, daughters Parvathi and Saraswathi, son and Deccan Chronicle correspondent Shyam Sundar Vattam.

Simple and humble to the core, Krishna Vattam was fondly known as Vattam Sir and left several students whom he had mentored grief-stricken. They rushed to  his home ‘Malahari’ at Vidyaranyapuram where his body was kept on Wednesday to pay their last respects.

Born the son of journalist Mr Sham Roa who served as reporter of Times of India and Madras Mail, Mr Vattam started his career at an early age  and moved to Mysuru in 1959 after he joined Deccan Herald.

Krishna Vattam was the first journalist to start giving field level stories from the tiger areas of Mysuru province. Oldtimers recall his association with forest official Mr Basappanavar who was then  Project Director of Bandipur Tiger Reserve.

Vattam was the recipient of Rajyotsava award (1994), Madhyama Academy award, Dasara Sports award and others. He survived cancer for 25 years and penned a memoir, ‘Joy of Conquering Cancer-A Spiritual Dimension’ summing up his experiences.