K. Lakshminarayana Bhattar, popularly known as Bhima Bhattar was born in Udyavara, near Udupi in 1904.The young Bhima Bhattar moved to Alleppey to live with his brother in law, and used to help out at his restaurant, Girija Nivas, after school hours. He was saddened that he had to discontinue his further education at college due to financial difficulties and resolved that he would be financially independent. He started a small business of selling perfumes and cosmetics at Girija Nivas while working there.