Botanical Legacy: Remembering K S Manilal

Renowned botanist K S Manilal, famed for translating the Latin text 'Hortus Malabaricus', passed away at 86 due to age-related ailments. A former professor at the University of Calicut, Manilal's work has significantly impacted botany, earning him the Padma Shri award and Prime Minister Modi's condolences.

Renowned botanist and Padma Shri awardee K S Manilal has passed away at the age of 86. Known for his translation of the ancient Latin text 'Hortus Malabaricus' into English and Malayalam, Manilal succumbed to age-related ailments, his family confirmed on Wednesday.

K S Manilal, whose full name was Kattungal Subrahmanyan Manilal, formerly led the Department of Botany at the University of Calicut. His death elicited condolences from Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who praised Manilal's contributions to botany as a guiding light for future generations.

Manilal's remarkable achievements in botany, especially his work translating the 17th-century 'Hortus Malabaricus', have been pivotal for students and researchers studying the flora of the Malabar region. His prolific career includes authoring numerous books, over 200 research papers, and discovering new plant species.