The passing of Dr. Sankara Pillai Kaliyil Ramachandran Nair on 6th April 2026, at the age of 84, marks the end of an era in the field of neurosurgery in Kerala. Born on 29th November 1941 in Trivandrum, Kerala, Dr. Ramachandran Nair completed his early education in government schools in Neyyattinkara, before pursuing his pre-university studies at University College, Thiruvananthapuram. Graduating with his M.B.B.S. degree in 1966, his keen interest in surgery guided him to complete his M.S. in General Surgery in 1971 and subsequently pursue super-specialty training in neurosurgery—a field that was still in its formative years in India. He earned his M.Ch. in Neurosurgery from the University of Madras in 1974, following rigorous training at the renowned Christian Medical College, Vellore. His tenure as Senior Registrar at CMC Vellore further honed his clinical and surgical skills, placing him among the early generation of formally trained neurosurgeons in the country. Dr. Ramachandran Nair’s professional journey started as a Tutor in Neurosurgery at the Medical College, Thiruvananthapuram in 1968 and thereafter he steadily rose through the ranks with dedication and distinction. His academic career saw him serve in key teaching institutions across Kerala. Notably, he served as Professor and Chief of Neurosurgery at the Medical College, Calicut and later Trivandrum where he played a pivotal role in developing and strengthening the department into a center of competence and credibility. His leadership helped establish robust neurosurgical services at a time when the specialty was still evolving in the state. He also demonstrated the Medical Administration skills as the Superintendent of Trivandrum Medical College and later retired from Govt Medical College Alleppey as the Principal. Post retirement he had a long stint as Senior Administrator of Amrita Institute of Medical Sciences, a widely reputed private Medical Institution in India. A committed academician, Dr. Ramachandran Nair contributed significantly to medical literature and scientific discourse. His publications spanned diverse areas including head injuries, brain abscesses, post-traumatic epilepsy, fungal infections, and rare neurosurgical conditions. His travels across Europe and Asia—including Switzerland, England, Germany, Japan, Hong Kong, Malaysia, and Singapore—broadened his perspective and enabled him to bring global insights into his practice back home. Dr. Nair is survived by his family, wife Mrs Chandralekha, his children, Ranjith and Dr Meera , who carry forward his legacy of values and service. To them, and to all who had the privilege of knowing him, his passing is an immeasurable loss. Prof. Nair was a man of remarkable intellect and surgical brilliance. His commitment to excellence in patient care and his meticulous approach to his craft set the highest standards for all who had the privilege to work alongside him. Beyond his professional achievements, it was his humility, kindness, and deep sense of responsibility toward his students that truly defined him. As a teacher, he inspired not just through knowledge, but through example. He was a mentor who genuinely cared about the growth and well-being of his students. His legacy lives on in the many lives he saved, the minds he moulded, and the values he upheld. In remembering Dr. S. K. Ramachandran Nair, we honour not just a pioneering neurosurgeon, but a life lived with meaning, discipline, and grace. His contributions have left an indelible imprint on the medical landscape of Kerala. Long after his time, his work will continue to guide, inspire, and heal through those he taught and the institutions he helped build. *May his soul rest in peace*
Nair et al. (Fri,) studied this question.