Prof MS Valiathan—a tribute and a salute

With a heavy heart and deep sorrow, we received thenews of passing away of Dr. Marthanda Varma SankaranValiathan, a luminary in the realm of cardiac sciences anda trailblazing colossus in the medical fraternity, after thecompletion of his ‘Earthly’ mission, on July 17, 2024, atthe venerable age of 90 years. The profound reactive sad-ness of his passing, however, soon yielded to a solemn cel-ebration… of a life of reason, well-lived with a purpose,and for a larger cause. An epiphany thus dawned—such a‘Becoming’ was in fact the very ‘Being’, destined to live forever and beyond, gaining immortality through his thoughts,deeds, and fragrance, that he leaves behind for the posterityto cherish. For the most of his 90 years, Dr. Valiathan madeunparalleled contributions to cardiac surgery, medical edu-cation, and healthcare innovation in India. A titan in the fieldof cardiac surgery, a maverick innovator, a pioneering forcein the medical community, and a rooted human being areall apt epithets, albeit none versatile enough to capture the‘spirit’ of this noble soul, christened MS Valiathan.

Born on May 24, 1934, in Mavelikkara, Kingdom of Tra-vancore of the British India, the prodigiously talented Dr.Valiathan’s journey into ‘Medicine’ began with the MBBSdegree from the University of Kerala. He further honed hisskills and expertise with surgical training at the Universityof Liverpool, gaining a fellowship from the Royal College ofSurgeons; and advanced tutelage in cardiac surgery at JohnsHopkins University in the USA. With a heart brimming andpulsating with passion and a mind bursting at the seams withideas, he returned home and chose to dedicate his life to theintricacies of cardiovascular and thoracic surgery.Dr. Valiathan’s career took a storied trajectory with theestablishment of Sree Chitra Tirunal Institute for Medi-cal Sciences and Technology (SCTIMST) in Thiruvanan-thapuram, reaching its zenith during his tenure as theFounder-Director. The genius, like a beacon, led biomedi-cal innovation and research at SCTIMST and contributedto the development of the low-cost, indigenous Chitra heartvalve, disposable blood bags, oxygenators, vascular grafts,and scores of other products. Beyond his surgical prowessand ingenious creativity, Dr. Valiathan’s legacy is equallydeeply defined by his commitment to medical education andalternative systems of ancient Indian medicine. He was acelebrated author of multiple titles in Ayurveda, includingthe ‘Legacy’ series on Susruta, Caraka, and Vagbhata. Asthe first Vice-Chancellor of Manipal University, he playeda pivotal role in establishing academic programs and insti-tutions like Manipal Academy of Higher Education. Headorned the chairs of ‘President, Indian National ScienceAcademy’ and ‘National Research Professor’ of the Govern-ment of India. His unquenchable thirst for knowledge

commitment to education and research earned him numer-ous accolades, including the hallowed ‘Padma Shri’ and‘Padma Vibhushan’ awards from the Government of India;‘Dr. Samuel P Asper International Award’ from the JohnsHopkins University Medical School; ‘Hunterian Professor-ship’ of the Royal College of Surgeons of England; ‘Dr. B.C.Roy National Award’; and the ‘Chevalier of the Order ofPalmes Académiques’ from the French Government, besidesinnumerable Orations and Guest Lectures.A paragon of humility, compassion, devotion, andunwavering dedication to patient care, never was he arro-gant, rude, or socially inappropriate. His virtuous qualitiesincluded a quiet, yet resounding and firm demeanour, amaster of all he surveyed. He lived a spartan life, yet giant-sized and full of scientific vigour, never shy to ask a ‘why’for every ‘a priori’ and presumption in scientific arena, andnot to spare himself an arduous task to solve its dilemmasand antimonies. He displayed the Schopenhauerian “will”,never once falling bait to its ‘ennui’, even till his last days.No wonder, all his students remember him as a friend-philosopher-mentor; his multitude of patients saw in hima healer; colleagues found a visionary in him; and to hisfamily—an altruist personified. Regardless of what vantagepoint one evaluated him, he stood tall and domineering andyet no theatrics, no rhetorics, and no polemics in his deal-ings—straight and clean was his countenance. No doubt, Dr.Valiathan’s remarkable journey was made ever so beautifulby his loving wife, and a full and blissful family of childrenand grandchildren.The entire fraternity of Indian Association of Thoracicand Cardiovascular Surgeons rise in unison to salute its‘GOAT’ (Greatest Of All Time), and just as we bid farewellto this extraordinary soul, we celebrate an ‘Activity’—a life,rich in purpose and content in achievement, but now in awell-deserved repose. May you rest in peace, our very ownDr. Valiathan Sir, you shall be missed.Till we meet again…!

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- NHI