Legacy of Plant Pioneer: Remembering K S Manilal

K S Manilal, renowned botanist and recipient of the Padmashree award, passed away at 86. Known for translating 'Hortus Malabaricus' into English and Malayalam, Manilal made significant contributions to botany. His work remains essential for understanding the flora of the Malabar region, inspiring future researchers.

Renowned botanist K S Manilal, who gained recognition for translating the ancient Latin text 'Hortus Malabaricus' into English and Malayalam, has passed away. Family sources confirmed his death due to age-related ailments on Wednesday. He was 86 and had been unwell for some time.

K S Manilal, whose full name is Kattungal Subrahmanyan Manilal, was a distinguished member of the University of Calicut, where he led the Botany Department. His tireless efforts over decades to translate the 'Hortus Malabaricus,' a 17th-century document detailing Malabar's flora, solidified his legacy as a pivotal figure in botany.

In addition to his translation work, Manilal authored several books, published over 200 research papers, and identified numerous new plant species. He was celebrated with numerous national and international accolades, including the prestigious Padmashree award in 2020 for his contributions to science.

(With inputs from agencies.)