Only a month ago, PK Warrier, who helped popularise Ayurveda across the world, had celebrated his 100th birthday in Kerala. On Saturday, he died at his home in Kottakkal, Malappuram. He was the managing trustee of Arya Vaidya Sala (AVS), a charitable institution for the practice and propagation of Ayurveda. Dr Warrier, a physician, had served as its managing trustee for 62 years and was also its medical director.
The official page of Arya Vaidya Shala describes him as an able administrator, educationist, academician and above all a physician, under whose leadership AVS grew into a multi-crore multi-functional organisation. He made Kottakkal 'a synonym of authentic Ayurveda', the page says. AVS became a sought-out destination for people, rich and poor alike, from India and abroad.
Dr PK Warrier was bestowed with the Padma Shri and the Padma Bhushan awards by the government of India. He also received several doctoral degrees from various universities, awards and recognitions, including the Kerala Sahitya Akademi Award for Biography and Autobiography for Smrithi Parvam.
Dr Warrier also wrote several research papers on Ayurveda— the five-volume treatise Indian Medicinal Plants: A Compendium of 500 Species that he co-authored being an important document on the subject.
Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan paid his condolences, calling Dr Warrier one of the most important doctors who brought global fame and acceptance to Ayurveda. He put forth the Science of Ayurveda and convinced the world of its importance, CM Pinarayi said. He also said that PK Warrier merged humanity in medical science. He spread the methods of Ayurveda treatment to the lowest level of the society so that the poor could also access it.
Kerala Governor Arif Mohammed Khan condoled the demise of Dr PK Warrier, calling him 'Doyen of Ayurveda'. State Health Minister Veena George also paid her condolences. “We have lost the patriarch of Ayurveda,” she said.
Hon'ble Governor Shri Arif Mohammed Khan condoled the sad demise of Dr.P.K.Warrier,doyen of Ayurveda.
— Kerala Governor (@KeralaGovernor) July 10, 2021
"As physician,he was committed to the scientific pursuit of Ayurveda.He will be remembered for matchless contribution to the modernization of Ayurveda":PRO,KeralaRajBhavan(T1/2) pic.twitter.com/IbFzBazO9x
Former Health Minister KK Shailaja and others also posted their tribute to PK Warrier.
Former Prime Minister of India HD Devagowda, Congress leaders Ramesh Chennithala and M Vincent tweeted their condolences. Several celebrities like director Rajakrishnan Menon, Oscar winning sound mixer Resull Pookutty, actor Shwetha Menon, singer Mridula Varier, politicians Dr Shama Mohamed and MP Abdussamad Samadani, and strategist Sajeev Nair posted their condolences as well.