K.N. Guruswamy

Kanekal Nettakallappa Guruswamy (1901–1990) was a liquor businessman and newspaper publisher from Bangalore, Karnataka.

Founder Guruswamy founded The Printers (Mysore) Private Limited, the company that publishes Deccan Herald, Prajavani, Sudha and Mayura in 1948.

Deccan Herald and Prajavani Deccan Herald was launched on 17 June 1948. According to Gautham Machaiah, its owners purchased a dance club—Funnel's owned by an Irish couple. The intention was of starting a movie theatre (there were already two other theatres on either side—Plaza and Liberty) but then opted for a newspaper, despite having "zero experience in journalism or print business". incorporated in Karnataka in 1970 with an authorised capital of Rs 20 lakh (two million rupees).The K.N.Guruswamy Memorial Trophy, for horse-racing in Bengaluru, has been covered on online racing channels. The K.N.Guruswamy Educational and Charitable Trust is also present. The Ashram School was started by K.N.Guruswamy.

Philanthropy The 2012-launched Nettakallappa Aquatic Centre (NAC) -- named after his heir and nephew—is currently (as of September 2020) managed by the K. N. Guruswamy Educational & Charitable Trust, which focuses on education and sports. This centre is based at the Uttarahalli Main Road, in Padmanabhanagar, Bengaluru 61. Nettakallappa supported sporting associations including those related to badminton, mountaineering and athletics during the early days of sports in Karnataka.

Family and heirs Guruswamy, being without an heir, adopted his brother K.N. Anjanappa's son K.A. Nettakallappa, who became a well-known journalist but died young at the age of 47. Nettakallappa and Prajavani editor Ramachandra Rao are credited with playing a pioneering role in founding the Press Club of Bangalore. Nettakallappa's sons—K.N. Hari Kumar, K.N. Tilak Kumar, and K.N. Shanth Kumar—have been at the helm of the publications. The publications adopt a policy of "objectivity, integrity, impartiality and truth flying high". Its tagline currently (2019) is "The Power of Good."