Raghavan Thirumulpad
Vaidyabhooshanam K. Raghavan Thirumulpad was an Ayurvedic scholar and physician hailing from Kerala, the southern state of India. He was born on 20 May 1920 at Chingoli, Alappuzha District of Kerala. He died on 21 November 2010 at the age of 90 at his residence in Chalakudi.[1]
Thirumulpad studied Sanskrit, Tharkam (Indian Philosophy), Jyothisham (Indian astrology) and Vyakarana (Grammar) under various teachers. Later he studied Ayurveda under Shri. P.Vasudevan Nambisan and passed the graduation exam called Vaidyabhooshanam. From a very young age he was attracted by Gandhian thought and living and started using and propagating Khadi (the hand-woven cotton fabric which once symbolised Indian nationalism).
Raghavan Thirumulpad was very much influenced by Ruskin's essay, Unto This Last, and tried to implement its ethos in his day-to-day practise of medicine. This was a shift in the trend of ayurvedic practise that prevailed all over India in that time. He gave more stress to the life-style modifications in his treatment and the least importance was given to medicine. Maximum stress was laid on the importance of physical exercise in the prevention of diseases. He promoted a style highlighting wholesome food, sound sleep, moderated sex and optimal exercise as the four pillars on which a healthy life is built. Thirumulpad taught a number of young ayurvedic graduates to practise ayurveda in a more logical scientific but simple style. He resided during his lifetime at Chalakudy.
V.K.R.T. Foundation, consisting of his students, celebrated his 90th birthday on May 23, 2010, at Chalakudy as "Navathi Pranamam". Many important personalities, including Dr. Rajan Gurukkal, V.C., M.G. University, Dr. K.G. Poulose, V.C. Kerala Kalamandalam, Dr. C. Ratnakaran, Pro. V.C. Kerala University of Health, participated. The releasing of 9 of his books was the highlight of the occasion.[2]
On Jan 25, 2011, the Ayruveda Acharyan was awarded Padma Bhushan posthumously, 2 months after his death.[3][4] Many people felt he should have been given this honour much before when he was alive.
Chalakudy Municipality commemorated the second year of his demise with a meeting at the Merchants Association hall, Chalakudy,Kerala, India, at 4.30 pm on 21 November 2012. Dr.P.N.Suresh, Vice Chancellor of Kerala Kalamandalam will inaugurate the function. An award in his name, for the BEST AYURVEDIC DOCTOR will be given on that day. Prof.Dr.K.Muraleedharan Pillai is selected for the award this year. A special award will be given to Dr.M.Prasad, for his self-less contributions for propagating the ideologies of K.Raghavan Thirumulpad.
Personal Information
Sri. Thirumulpad has 4 sons Dr.Murali, Mukundan, Murari, Ravivarma and a daughter Dr. Muthulakshmy. Dr. Muthulakshmy,[5] a Sanskrit Professor, Writer and member of Academic Council of Sree Sankara University of Sanskrit, Kalady, is a recipient of Kerala Sahitya Academy Award for translation for the year 2008.
References
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