Dear All,
4th AUGUST is a very auspicious day; is 108th Birthday of Prof Rathinavel Subramaniam. He joined MMC in 1933. He was a legendry physician of our days. He was Professor of Medicine and later Dean, Madras Medical College. He was a Great Clinician, Extra ordinary Teacher and Great Research Worker. Some of his work in Tropical Medicine is colossal. He was extremely good to everyone. He helped everyone without any discrimination. Prof. A S Thamaiah used to adore as Sir William Osler of Madras.
His birthday was celebrated while he was in service, after his retirement and even after he as reached Heavens. His celebrations took place at the “Little Hut” of Hotel Ashoka, Egmore. His centenary celebration was organised in 2012 at the Department of Medicine, MMC in a grand scale attended by retired Professors, the Professors in duty other faculty members, PG and UG Students. His portrait was unveiled by Prof. G Arjun Das in the presences of Prof. Sarada Menon, two of his eminent students. The portrait is kept at the Department of Medicine, MMC, Thanks to DR. C Rajendran, Prof of Medicine and the Dean MMC.
His life-size painting was unveiled at the Cardiology auditorium with efforts taken by me and Dr. G Anantha Subramaniam in early 90’s. Every year we celebrate his birthday with CME program, which is a right tribute to the Great Academician in the 1st Sunday of August. The session will be inaugurated by Prof.G Arjundas, who showed many of his old pictures and gave a talk about his life. Many young student and physicians appreciated this. I am herewith enclosing a short notes about this Great Legend.Dr V Seshiah created 2 endowment Orations one at API and another at MMC. I had the honour of giving his Oration twice
Prof. Rathinavel Subramaniam was born of Thiru A.V.Rathinavel Pillai and Tmt. Annapoorani ammal on 5'n Aug 1912 and belongs to the village of Thirmiachur of Thanjavur District. He married lVlrs. Lalitha and has a son and a daughter.
He completed his schooling in Muthialpet Hr. Sec. School and finished his B.Sc Zoology at the Presidency College, Chennai in 1932. He joined his MBBS at lVadras Medical College and also did his MD at the same college. He was mainly trained by the famous physician Dr. Gurusamy !udaliar. The Royal College of Physicians, London conferred the Fellowship on him.
He was an astute physician and had an intense intuitive skill of diagnosis. He had an unbelievable knowledge in [t/edicine and has made many observations in Medicine which was not accepted at that time till the Western Scientific world acknowledged him. He was keenly interested in Tropical Medicine and in Tuberculosis and Leprosy. His writings on manifestation of Amoebiasis are colossal. He was a master in all subspecialties of Medicine. However he was keenly interested in Cardiology. He worked in Brompton's Hospital, London and was trained by Dr. Tausig. His interest in Cardiology was such that he donated Rs. 2.5 Lacs for the present Cardiology Block as seed money in 1968.
As a teacher he was simpry phenomenar. His teaching was simple but exhaustive. His love for his students was amazing and inspiring every one of them to attain their highest excellence. Like a wizard, he chose the students from their aptitude and sent them for higher specialties who later became the experts in their respective fields globally. He helped every one with out prejudice and spent time with poor patients attending to them with all the necessary medications with kindness.
The vlP's including the officials, state ministers, chief Ministers and central tMinisters, successive Governors and even the President of the country were his patients. He has always taught the students that, one should treat the patient's disease and not his designation.
He was a great research workerand produced papers in both national and internationaljournals. His publications were appreciated better by many after his retirement. He had keen interest in indigenous system of Medicine and introduced EcliptaAlba for Liver disease and Reserpin for HT. He was also a consultant to the central lnstitute of siddha. He did yoga and Exercises and kept his soul, mind and his bodyfit.
He was promoting education even at the schoor rever by being a director at Muthialpet school. He was loving art and ran a dance school at Kilpauk. He also ran a Tamil Research organization. His administrative skills were commendable and he was the Prof. of Medicine from 1951 to 1970 at MMC. During the last three years of his official life, he was the Dean of the prestigious JMadras Medical College. He was also a member of the senate and syndicate of the Madras University.
He was a divine personality with unswerving devotion of Lord Nataraja of Chidambaram. He resurrected the Eastern Gopuram of Thillai. He has written a number of books and articles in Tamil. He has written an annotation for Arunagirinathar Skandaranubuthi. He has written in simple words the meaning for the divine version of Nallvar Thirumurai under the heading "Thunbam Pom" to impress the exalted power of the word NAMACHIVAYA for the benefit of Mankind.
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