Keraleeya Ayurveda Samajam Shoranur, Kerala.

Background

The colonial Rule brought the concept of Modern with a face of Newness. The concept of Modern from the New World was made the in-thing and the prevailing Old School was side lined and was expected to get extinct in due course. During the two centuries of colonial rule, Ayurveda almost went un-noticed by the British and most of them did not believe in it or discarded it as some esoteric healing. Furthermore, the British Empire no longer funded Ayurvedic training and over the next century much of its unwritten wisdom were lost.

However some Ayurveda and Ayurvedic formula did make it to the west and extreme orient. The most popular one which we all know

would be "Amala" and "Aritha" fruits to make "champoo" for hair which gave birth to modern day "Shampoo" in use until this day including the word.

European surgeons translated and brought into practice Indian surgery techniques as described in the Sushruta Samhita (1000 B.C.) including the corrective repair to injured face; traditional aesthetic treatment which was devised to restore the beauty of the Maharajas and Princes who were deformed while fighting a battle. This technique fostered the discipline we now call plastic surgery. Meditation also has a similar story. Meditation known as 'Dhyan' is Sanskrit to restore the peace of mind became Chyan, then Chen and by the time it reached Japan it became Zen.

Vaidyaratnam

But Ayurveda survived all that. Today at least, as a last resort, which presently is the curse to Ayurveda in the contemporary "Modern" world, some would give it a try. In 1911, The Chief Justice of British High Court in Bombay, Sir Basil Scot due to his chronic illness, pain and suffering and also due to the fact that all the modern medicines having failed in giving him relief, thought of trying Ayurveda. He wanted the best Ayurveda physician in India. The Madras Governor advised him to consult the Zamorin. Message was communicated to Samajam by the Zamorin. Thriprangode Parameswaran Mooss was the Chief physician of Samajam at that time. Thriprangode Parameswaran Mooss was a traditional Physician with a great ancestoral history in Ayurveda. Being the Chief Physician, Mooss had to think twice as his absence for so many days should not upset the patients in Samajam Hospital. And with half mind Mooss went to Bombay to examine Sir Basil Scot. To the surprise of everyone, including Mooss, the disease was diagnosed and cured in matter of few days. This relief was attributed to the belief of Hindu religious Miracle, but Mooss could convince him of the Wisdom of the sages. He also explained that the knowledge which the Modern Medicine propagates is only an atom in the massive wisdom of Ayurveda. Astonished by the Mooss’s wisdom he requested the then Viceroy, Lord Charles Hardinge to honour Mooss with the highest recognition Vaidyaratnam, a certificate of Merit coined only at that juncture. This was in 1911.


Sir Basil Scot		Lord Hardinge		King George V

Thaikkatt Mooss

13 years later, the Second Vaidya Ratnam was conferred on Thaikkatt Narayanan Mooss in the year 1924. He was working with Samajam as their Physician. His family, the Eledath Thaikkattu Mooss family of Thaikkattussery, Thrissur, is one of the most prominent among the Ashtavaidyas. His individual contribution to the medical field is highly appreciated.

In appreciation of the services of Narayanan Mooss, the Viceroy of India, Lord Reading bestowed on him the title, Vaidyaratna. He was so popular even among the scholars in Ayurveda. He left Samajam in 1938 and left the world in 1940. In 1941, The son of Narayanan Mooss, Late Padmashree Neelakandan Mooss started the Vaidyaratnam Oushdhasala in Trichur.

PS Varier

Right from 1902, P.S.Varier was with Samajam till 1913. After leaving Samajam PS Varier set up his own firm, in 1915. Samajam being a charitable organization had its limitations to individual likes and choices. Arya Vaidya Sala soon picked up with the trend and became a very popular organization. With a modern out look and practical application to Medicines the word Arya Vaidya Sala has become an International Institute.

In recognition of PS Varier's services, the distinguished title of "Vaidyaratnam" was conferred on him by His Excellency the Viceroy and Governor General of India in 1933.



Thriprangode Parameswaran Mooss

Lord Hardinge, as Viceroy of India was too busy with the shifting of the Capital of India from Calcutta to New Delhi. The Supreme Court of India was also in Calcutta. The shifting of Capital and other offices was for the preparation of the Crowning of the New King, King George V which was to be held in Delhi in December 1911. Even during this busy time the Viceroy found time to honour Triprangode Parameswaran Mooss with the first ever Vaidyaratnam, the certificate of recognition for the meritorious services rendered to humanity.


Thaikkatt Narayanan Mooss		PS Varier

Padmashree

After the colonial rule and the formation of the Republic of India, the President of India introduced Padmashree, a national recognition to the meritorious service rendered by a person. Padmashree (variously spelled Padma Shree, Padma Sree and Padmashree) is an award given by the Government of India. It stands fourth in the hierarchy of civilian awards after the Bharat Ratna, the Padma Vibhushan and the Padma Bhushan. Like the other Padma awards and the Bharat Ratna, the Padmashree is awarded to recognize distinguished service to the nation, in any field.

Dr. K. Rajagopal who is the President of Samajam today was given this honour of merit in the year 1999. He is a Doctor in Modern Medicine with MBBS and also an Ayurveda Physician with a Post Graduation.

Recognition by the public was prominent in Samajam than the recognition by the authorities. In fact, on top of all the recognitions, Samajam still considers the recognition from the renowned and

eminent Ayurveda Physicians much valuable. Samajam always
have been the centre for all the great physicians of Kerala. With traditional wisdom and knowledge passed on through generations in succession, Samajam could serve the people the very best available medical care. Since only Samajam had a centre to accommodate in-patients, many Physicians of great repute have preferred to serve in Samajam.

Eminent Ayurveda Physicians like Kuttancherry Mooss, Thirunavaya Mooss, Mooriyil Narayanan Nambissan, Ambramoli Ravunni Vaidyar, Veyiloor Sanku Varier, Poomulli Neelakantan Namboodiri, KV Vaidya Linga Iyer, NVK Varier all have contributed to the growth of Samajam by extending their service.

Their knowledge, ideas, experiences and ideals will be of great value not only to the present generation, but also to the future ones to come. Samajam is fortunate to have had a number of such eminent physicians to deliver the best for the last 100 plus years to over a million people.

Ashtavaidyas

Ashtavaidyas are the traditional physicians of Kerala. There are many stories about the origin of these families. One belief is that Lord Parasuraman who brought Brahmins (Namboothiris) to Kerala, assigned 8 of the families as physicians, and these families came to be known as Ashtavaidyans, meaning 8 physicians. There is another story which narrates the eight prominent disciples of Vaagbhata and their families who followed the Ashtaangahridayam method of treatment. Some believe that Vaagbhata came to Kerala and composed Ashtaangahridayam sitting on a rock near Thiruvizha temple, though historians contest this. It is a truth that while the rest of the country follows Charaka and Sushrutha, Kerala follows Vaagbhata's Ashtaangahridayam.

The Ashtavaidyas or the eight Families who followed and practiced the eight parts of Vagbhata’s Ashtanga Hridaya, are:

1. Aalathiyoor Nambi
2. Elayidath Thaikkatt Mooss
3. Pazhanellippurath Thaikkatt Mooss
4. Kuttancherry Mooss
5. Vayaskara Mooss
6.Chirattamon Mooss
7. Velluttu Mooss
8. Pulamanthol Mooss

Samajam have had the privilege of the services of all the Ashtavaidyas right from its formation. Ashtavaidyas of these families have served in Samajam atleast for 4 generations.

Vaidyamadom

Ashtavaidyas are believed to be the traditional Ayurvedic physicians of Kerala and are from the Brahmin Community called Namboodiris. They practise the eight branches of medicine from which the word Ashtavaidya is originated. They wrote several books with their age old observations and clinical experiences. "Chikitsa Manjari", "Yogamithram", "Abhidhana Manjari", "Alathur Manipravalam", "Sindoora Manjari" are some of them. They come under the family of Vaagbhata, one of the members of The Great Three, Brihat Trayee. Brihat Trayees are three authentic scholars in Ayurveda, namely Susrutha, Charaka and Vaagbhata.

As moosses were given a lower status to Namboodiris, they were not allowed in Yagasalas, where religious sacrifices were made. Kaarathol Nambis were upgraded to Namboothiris and made to be known as Vaidyamatom. They were brought to Mezhathur for this purpose. Vaidyamatom was said to be the physician for all the 99 Yaagams performed by Mezhathur Agnihothri. The family follows Aalathiyoor Nambi's school, which points to the possibility of his ancestry to Kaarathol Nambi, who was himself trained under Aalathiyoor Nambi. Vaidyamatom Valiya Narayan Namboodiri, meaning the Senior Most member in the family thus became famous.

He was in the first panel of Samajam. He had worked with Samajam till his demise. But more popular was his son, while he was with Samajam. He also served Samajam till he left.