“His extensive work in botany and his passion for documenting Kerala’s history and culture would serve as a guiding light for future scholars.” — Prime Minister Narendra Modi on K.S. Manilal
Renowned botanist and Padma Shri awardee Kattungal Subrahmanyan Manilal passed away on January 1, 2025, at the age of 86 in Thrissur, Kerala. His death marks the end of an era in Indian botany — a career spanning decades of meticulous research, groundbreaking translations, and unwavering dedication to preserving India’s botanical heritage.
Manilal’s crowning achievement was translating the 17th-century Latin botanical masterpiece Hortus Malabaricus into English and Malayalam, making this seminal 12-volume work on Kerala’s flora accessible to modern audiences. His work bridged centuries of scientific knowledge, ensuring that invaluable documentation of medicinal plants and biodiversity was not lost to linguistic barriers.
👤 Early Life & Academic Career
K.S. Manilal was born in 1938 in Kerala, a state renowned for its rich biodiversity and traditional knowledge of medicinal plants. From an early age, he developed a fascination with the natural world, which eventually led him to pursue botany as his life’s calling.
He served as the Head of the Department of Botany at the University of Calicut, where he significantly advanced research in plant taxonomy and systematics. Under his leadership, the department became a center of excellence for botanical research in South India.
His dedication to the field is evident in his prolific scholarly output:
- Over 200 research papers published in reputed national and international journals
- Several authoritative books on botany and Kerala’s flora
- Discovery and documentation of numerous new plant species native to Kerala
- Training of future botanists who continue his legacy today
Think of K.S. Manilal as a detective of plants — he didn’t just study what was already known, but discovered new species and, most importantly, unlocked a 350-year-old treasure chest of botanical knowledge (Hortus Malabaricus) that was locked away in Latin, making it readable for everyone.
📜 Hortus Malabaricus: The Magnum Opus
Hortus Malabaricus (Latin for “Garden of Malabar”) is one of the most comprehensive and scientifically significant botanical works ever produced. Originally compiled in the 17th century (1678–1693), this monumental 12-volume treatise documents the flora of the Malabar region (modern-day Kerala).
The work was commissioned by Hendrik van Rheede, the Dutch Governor of Malabar, and compiled with the help of local physicians, scholars, and botanists including Itty Achuden, an Ezhava physician whose traditional knowledge formed the backbone of the treatise.
| Aspect | Details |
|---|---|
| Original Title | Hortus Indicus Malabaricus |
| Language | Latin (original), with Malayalam plant names |
| Volumes | 12 volumes |
| Period of Compilation | 1678–1693 |
| Commissioner | Hendrik van Rheede (Dutch Governor of Malabar) |
| Plants Documented | 740+ species with illustrations |
| Content Focus | Medicinal and economic uses of plants |
| Key Contributor | Itty Achuden (Ezhava physician) |
Hortus Malabaricus is a rare example of colonial-era documentation that actually preserved indigenous knowledge rather than erasing it. The work includes Malayalam names for plants and credits local experts — unusual for its time. Manilal’s translation ensured this bridge between traditional knowledge and Western science remained accessible.
📖 The Translation Journey
Manilal’s most celebrated achievement was his decades-long effort to translate Hortus Malabaricus from Latin into English and Malayalam. This was not a simple linguistic exercise — it required:
- Mastery of Latin botanical terminology
- Deep knowledge of Kerala’s flora to identify species correctly
- Understanding of historical context to interpret 17th-century observations
- Fieldwork to verify plant identifications and locations
The English translation, published by the University of Kerala, made this treasure trove accessible to researchers, scholars, and nature enthusiasts worldwide. The Malayalam translation connected the work back to the land and people whose knowledge it originally documented.
Key Exam Fact: K.S. Manilal translated the 12-volume Hortus Malabaricus from Latin into English and Malayalam. The original work was commissioned by Dutch Governor Hendrik van Rheede in the 17th century (1678–1693).
🔬 Research Contributions
Beyond the Hortus Malabaricus translation, Manilal made significant contributions to botanical science:
- Plant Taxonomy: Documented and classified numerous plant species, enhancing botanical classification systems
- New Species Discovery: Identified and described several plant species previously unknown to science
- Ethnobotany: Documented traditional medicinal uses of plants in Kerala
- Biodiversity Conservation: His research contributed to conservation efforts by documenting Kerala’s rich flora
- Historical Botany: Bridged historical botanical knowledge with modern scientific methods
His meticulous documentation helped preserve ecological knowledge that might have otherwise been lost, and his work continues to inform biodiversity conservation policies in Kerala and across India.
Don’t confuse: Hortus Malabaricus was NOT written by K.S. Manilal — he translated it. The original was compiled by Hendrik van Rheede (Dutch Governor) with help from local experts including Itty Achuden. Manilal’s contribution was making this 17th-century Latin work accessible in English and Malayalam.
🏆 Awards & Recognition
K.S. Manilal’s contributions were widely recognized by scientific and governmental bodies:
- Padma Shri (2020): India’s fourth-highest civilian award, received for contributions to Science and Engineering
- Awards from botanical and scientific societies recognizing his pioneering research
- Honorary titles for his work in plant taxonomy
- National and international recognition for his translations and research contributions
- Lifetime achievement awards from academic institutions
His Padma Shri in 2020 came as recognition not just of a single achievement, but of a lifetime dedicated to preserving and advancing botanical knowledge in India.
🌿 Legacy & Impact
The passing of K.S. Manilal marks the end of an era for Indian botany, but his contributions will continue to inspire scientists, researchers, and environmentalists for generations.
His lasting impact includes:
- Bridging Historical and Modern Science: Made 17th-century botanical knowledge accessible to contemporary researchers
- Preserving Indigenous Knowledge: Ensured traditional plant knowledge documented in Hortus Malabaricus was not lost
- Inspiring Future Botanists: Trained and mentored generations of students at University of Calicut
- Conservation Advocacy: His documentation supports ongoing biodiversity conservation in Kerala
- Cultural Heritage: Preserved Kerala’s unique botanical and cultural heritage through scholarly work
Prime Minister Narendra Modi paid tribute, emphasizing that Manilal’s efforts went beyond academia, preserving Kerala’s unique biodiversity and cultural heritage for future generations.
Manilal’s work raises important questions about the intersection of traditional knowledge and modern science. His translation preserved indigenous wisdom documented during colonial times — showing how colonial-era documentation can be reclaimed and made accessible. This connects to debates about intellectual property, traditional knowledge systems, and the importance of biodiversity documentation.
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K.S. Manilal translated Hortus Malabaricus into English and Malayalam. He did not write the original work — that was compiled by Hendrik van Rheede in the 17th century.
Hortus Malabaricus consists of 12 volumes, documenting over 740 plant species from the Malabar region (Kerala). This is a frequently tested fact.
K.S. Manilal received the Padma Shri in 2020 for his contributions to Science and Engineering, particularly for his botanical research and translation work.
Hortus Malabaricus was originally compiled between 1678 and 1693, making it a 17th-century work. Manilal translated it in the late 20th/early 21st century.
K.S. Manilal served as Head of the Department of Botany at the University of Calicut in Kerala, where he conducted extensive research in plant taxonomy.
