THRISSUR (KERALA): The distinguished botanist and Padmashree award recipient K S Manilal, renowned for his English and Malayalam translations of the ancient Latin text “Hortus Malabaricus,” passed away due to age-related health issues, according to family sources on Wednesday.
He was 86 years old.
After facing health challenges for several months, he passed away at a private hospital, family members stated.
Kattungal Subrahmanyan Manilal, widely recognized as K S Manilal, had previously served as the head of the Department of Botany at the University of Calicut.
His extensive contributions to botany, particularly his translation work on Hortus Malabaricus, a 17th-century botanical treatise that details the diverse flora of the Malabar region (south-western coastal India), garnered him significant respect and admiration.
This treatise continues to be a crucial reference for researchers, academics, and students exploring the botanical heritage of the area.
Manilal authored multiple books and published more than 200 research papers, along with introducing various new plant species. He received numerous awards at both national and international levels.
The Government of India honored him with the Padmashree in 2020 for his significant contributions to science. (PTI)
