Editor of world's only Sanskrit newspaper passes away in India's Mysuru

K V Sampath Kumar Iyengar, the editor of the world’s only Sanskrit newspaper Sudharma, died of a massive cardiac arrest in Mysuru in the southern Indian state of Karnataka on Wednesday (30). He was 64 and is survived by his wife KS Jayalakshmi.

Iyengar collapsed at his office table around 12.45 pm while working on the design of his publication’s latest issue. His wife was seated nearby and designing the front page of the four-page daily, which will complete 51 years this month.

The late editor, who underwent a heart surgery a few years ago, took up the responsibility of Sudharma from his father and founder of the daily, K Varadaraja Iyengar, who passed away in 1990. The newspaper’s offset press, Srikantha Enterprises, was started in Mysuru in 1988 and its colour edition was launched in 2009. He had also launched an e-paper along with his wife and it has thousands of subscribers.

Iyengar was a believer in team work and a number of Sanskrit writers and scholars would regularly share their editorial inputs and feedback with him. Last year, both Iyengar and his wife were awarded Padma Shri, India’s fourth-highest civilian honour.

Iyengar has found a mention in the 'Mann Ki Baat’ programme of prime minister Narendra Modi and 'Kaun Banega Crorepati', a popular television quiz programme hosted by legendary Bollywood actor Amitabh Bachchan. He has also received several other awards in his home state for work in Sanskrit, one of the world's oldest languages.

The man had often donned many mantles at one time while bringing out his unique publication – that of a reporter, editor and designer – and even brought out the only Sanskrit calendar in the world with an almanac and other features.

Modi mourns Iyengar's death

Prime minister Modi tweeted on Iyengar’s death saying, “KV Sampath Kumar Ji was an inspiring personality, who worked tirelessly towards preserving and popularising Sanskrit, specially among youngsters. His passion and determination were inspiring. Saddened by his demise. Condolences to his family and admirers. Om Shanti.” Several others, including litterateurs and friends and relatives also mourned his death.

The official Twitter handle of the chief minister of Karnataka, BS Yeddyurappa, also condoled Iyengar’s death saying the state lost a unique achiever in the field of journalism.

Iyengar was laid to rest with state honours.