Padma Shri Dr. K Rajagopalan
Date of Birth:- November 17, 1932
Place of Birth:- Kollam,Kerala.
Details of family:- Dr. K. Rajagopalan was born on November 17, 1932, as the second of seven children in the esteemed “Thottakkaran” Vaidya family of Kollam. His grandfather was the royal physician to the Travancore Royal Family, and his father was a celebrated philanthropist. Dr. Rajagopalan’s mother had extensive knowledge of Ayurveda and Siddha, linking the family to traditional healing. He was married to P K Saralamma and had a son and four daughters, including Dr. Kalyanikutty Naveena Chandran and Dr. Rugmini Rajan. He passed away on January 10, 2015, at the age of 83, leaving a significant impact on Ayurvedic research. His grandson, Dr. Rajagopalan Krishnan, currently runs M. P. Krishnan Vaidyan Memorial S. K. V. A. Pharmacy, continuing his legacy.
Educational Qualifications:-
Rajagopalan began his education at St. Joseph’s Convent School and other local institutions in Kollam, where his parents sparked his interest in Ayurveda. By 14, he was well-versed in classical texts like Ashtanga Hridaya. He attended M G College in Thiruvananthapuram and earned a Diploma in Ayurvedic Medicine from the government Ayurveda College in 1955. Later, he pursued an MBBS at Thiruvananthapuram Medical College in 1956. He received fellowships from the National Academy of Indian Medicine in 1985 and the National Academy of Ayurveda in 1999 for his contributions to the field.
A Dedicated Physician with an Integrative Approach Towards Healing:-
He began his professional journey as Chief Physician at the M P Krishna Vaidyan Memorial Hospital in Kollam City, serving for 19 years. Throughout his career, he worked as a clinical and literary consultant for Arya Vaidya Sala, Kottakkal, and held consulting roles at multiple hospitals, including Keraleeya Ayurveda Samajam, Aluva Ayurveda Pharmacy, and Amala Hospital, among others. Even in his eighties, he maintained a routine of travel for his work. Known for his inclusive and perseverant vision, he consistently embraced an integrative approach, combining the strengths of Ayurveda with modern medical practices.
Initiatives Towards the Formation of the Central Council of Indian Medicine:-
Dr. K Rajagopalan played a pivotal role in the establishment of the Central Council of Indian Medicine. Recognizing the lack of a statutory body for Ayurveda medical education, he submitted a memorandum to the Government advocating for a medical council specifically for Ayurveda. His efforts led to the approval of this requirement and the presentation of the Central Council of Indian Medicine bill in Parliament. Dr. Rajagopalan was then appointed to suggest amendments to the bill, and in 1970, he became the first nominated member from Kerala when the council was officially formed, marking a significant milestone for Ayurveda.
Efforts Made to Advance Ayurveda Research:-
Dr. K Rajagopalan served as a Senior Research Officer at the Central Institute for Ayurveda in 1971 and later headed the Regional Research Institute in Poojapura. He was the Research Director and Special Consultant at Amala Ayurveda Hospital in Thrissur, where he focused on research studies in Cancer and HIV/AIDS. He also presented papers at scientific seminars and authored articles for various journals. Notably, his team successfully experimented with a Nigella Sativa-based medicine for oral cancer.
Positions Held:-
Dr. K Rajagopalan was a prominent figure in Ayurveda and academia, serving as Chairman of the task force on Ayurveda and Homeopathy for the Kerala State Planning Board. His academic roles included examiner, Dean of the Faculty of Sanskrit Studies, and guiding PhD students at Sree Sankaracharya University. He held positions as Honorary Professor at Govt Ayurveda College, Thiruvananthapuram, and consulted for Arya Vaidya Sala and Keraleeya Ayurveda Samajam Hospital, where he later became Director. He was also Research Director at Amala Ayurveda Hospital, President of Kerala Ayurveda Mandalam, Senior Vice President of the All India Ayurveda Congress, and Director of Kerala Ayurveda Pharmacy Ltd, Aluva.
Contributions to Ayurveda Literature:-
“Panchakarma Chikitsa Sara Samgraha” in 2006, a key work on Panchakarma in Ayurveda. He also wrote monographs on Diet in Health and Disease (1984), Allergy (1987), and Vrikkaroga (1989), published by Kottakkal Arya Vaidya Sala. Additionally, he contributed to the “Compendium of Indian Medicinal Plants.”
Awards and Honors received by Padma Shri Dr K Rajagopalan
| Awards & Honours | Year |
|---|---|
| Bhrihatrayee Ratna/ Aryavaidyan Rama Warrier Memorial Award | 1977 |
| Vaidya Vachaspathi Award by Kerala Ayurveda Mandalam | 1989 |
| Bhishak Ratna Award by Academy of Ayurveda, Madras | 1995 |
| Felicitated at the International Seminar on Ayurveda held at the Gujarat Ayurveda University, Jamnagar, by the Health Minister of Gujarat, for the valuable services in the clinical and Academic fields of Ayurveda | 2000 |
| Patanjali Award given by the All-India Ayurveda Manufacturers Associations | 2001 |
| Honored at the 56th Plenary Session of All India Ayurveda Congress and Centenary celebration of Arya Vaidya Sala, Kottakkal, by the Union Minister of Human Resource Development and Science and Technology, Dr. Murali Manohar Joshi | 2002 |
| Padma Shri Award | 2003 |
| “Ashtanga Ratna Award” for the best Ayurvedic Physician by Govt of Kerala. | 2009 |