Kozhikode: Dr P K Warrier, who popularised Ayurveda medicines and treatment all over the world, died at his residence in Kottakkal in Malappuram district on Saturday. He was 100.
Dr Warrier was the managing trustee of the Kottakkal Arya Vaidya Sala, the famous Ayurveda treatment centre and producer of high-quality Ayurveda medicines.
He celebrated his 100th birthday on June 8. He had been avoiding in-person medical consultations because of COVID-19.
He was the nephew of Vaidyaratnam PS Warrier, the founder of Arya Vaidya Sala. The nation had honoured him with the Padma Shri in 1999 and the Padma Bhushan in 2010.
In his lifetime spanning a century, he treated tens of thousands of patients from across the globe and his patients included former presidents and former prime ministers of India and abroad.
Dr Warrier was the youngest of the six children of Thalappanathu Sreedharan Namboothiri and Kunji Varasyar.
Despite aspiring to become an engineer, he followed his family tradition and started learning Ayurveda under the tutelage of his uncle, Vaidyarathnam Dr P S Varier. The student, however, did not continue the studies for long. It was the time when Mahatma Gandhi had launched the Quit India Movement. The movement sparked the revolutionary spirit in the young man, and he left home and joined the Communist camp at Manjeri.
The young revolutionary’s major tasks then were to deliver party messages to leaders in hiding and to engage in anti-fascist campaigns. During this period he established friendship with prominent political leaders at the national and state levels.
The young Warrier returned, after realizing that active politics was not his cup of tea, and re-commenced his pursuit of Ayurveda. Before completing his studies, he became a trustee member of the Kottakkal Arya Vaidya Sala at the age of 24. His uncle had founded the institute in 1902.
Dr Warrier began his career as the Manager of 'Adukkala', or kitchen, at Arya Vaidya Sala, for a monthly salary of Rs 112.50, which also included dearness allowance.
He took over the reins of the establishment after the death of the Managing Trustee and his elder brother P M Warrier in an air crash in 1953.
The All India Ayurvedic Conference conferred him with the title, 'Ayurveda Maharshi' in 1997, for his saint-like pursuit of Ayurveda.
Dhanwanthari Award, Ashtangarathnam constituted by the State government, Dr Paulose Mar Gregorios Award, Pathanjali Award, C Achutha Menon Award, honorary D Litt from MG and Calicut universities, are a few of the honours he had received.
Dr Warrier was married to the late poet Madhavikutty Varasyar. Dr K Balachandran Warrier, the late K Vijayan Warrier, and Subhadra Ramachandran are his children. Rajalakshmi, Rathi Vijayan and K V Ramachandran Warrier are his children-in-law.
Tributes pour in
Prime Minister Narendera Modi, in a tweet, extended his condolences to Warrier's family.
"Saddened by the passing away of Dr. PK Warrier. His contributions to popularise Ayurveda will always be remembered. Condolences to his family and friends. Om Shanti," he said in his tweet.
Messages poured in from all quarters, including Kerala Governor Arif Mohammed Khan, Chief Minister Pinararyi Vijayan and Speaker of the Legislative Assembly M B Rajesh, condoling the death of the "patriarch" of Ayurvedic medicine.
The Governor said, "As a physician, he was committed to the scientific pursuit of Ayurveda. He will be remembered for his matchless contribution to the modernisation of Ayurveda. As a humanist, he envisioned a life of good health and dignity for everyone in society."
"The demise of Dr Warrier is a great loss for medical sciences. My heartfelt condolences to his family andthe Arya Vaidya Sala fraternity. May his soul attain Mukti", he added.
Vijayan, in his message, said Warrier was instrumental in leading Ayurveda to global fame and it was due to his efforts that this field of medicine has gained international acceptance today.
Warrier worked towards ensuring that money should not be a barrier to treatment and from heads of state to the poor,he was approached by all for treatment.
"He was the patriarch of Ayurveda in Kerala," the chief minister said.
Assembly Speaker M B Rajesh, condoling Warrier's death, said that he made great contributions to Ayurvedic treatment in Kerala and was instrumental in making Ayurveda a therapeutic discipline and giving it a strong place in moderneducation.
Health Minister Veena George, in her message, said, "Wehave lost the patriarch of Ayurveda".
Congress leader Ramesh Chennithala also condoled Warrier's death and said that his name will always be remembered as the physician who brought the greatness of Ayurveda to the world.
BJP state president K Surendran also offered condolences on the death of Warrier. "P K Warrier was a person who made his mark in the healthcare sector," he said.