Zamorin Raja P K Kerala Varma passes away at 89 in Kozhikode

Kozhikode: Zamorin Raja P.K. Kerala Varma, 89, died while undergoing treatment at a private hospital. A member of the Thekkekettu branch of Puthiya Kovilakam in Thiruvannur, he was residing at Chinthavalappu in Kozhikode.

Kerala Varma was a pharmacology expert and recipient of Central and state government awards for excellence in exports. He founded Narniat Pharmaceuticals which was known for manufacturing and exporting medicines, including antibiotics.

He was also part of a team that worked with the state's Filariasis Research Centre on a programme to prevent the spread of filariasis in Lakshadweep.

Born on September 3, 1936, Kerala Varma completed his pharmacy degree from L.M. Pharmacy College in Ahmedabad. He later worked at German Remedies in Mumbai and at Kozhikode Medical College before establishing Narniat Pharmaceuticals.

He served as president of the Industrial Estate Manufacturers Association in Kozhikode and as an executive member of the Small Industries Association. He was also a member of a Central Export Promotion Council committee that studied industrial development opportunities in nine countries, including Australia, and served as a pharmacology adviser to Kottakkal Arya Vaidya Sala, Oushadhi and Vaidyamadham.

Kerala Varma is survived by wife, Jayasree Varma, children Sunidhi Raja and Dr K. Sujith Varma, and their families.

His body was brought to his Chinthavalappu residence at 10 am on Tuesday. The funeral will be held at 6.30 pm at Smrithipatham crematorium on Mavoor Road.