Bhubaneswar, Today, legendary Journalist and Columnist Barendra Krushna Dhal passed away at the age of 77.

Dhal, who was suffering from renal and cardiac problems for some time, fell inside the bathroom this morning and passed away, his son said.

Dhal's wife Snehalata Dhal died earlier this year on 6th January 2016.

Dhal started the Bhubaneswar Bookfair in 1984 and received Sahitya Akademi award in 1993.He worked in different language newspapers like in Odia, English and Bengali.

A large number of journalists, politicians, writers and others paid tribute to the noted columnist at his residence.