When Barkur.com was opened in December 2001, we introduced this site using one of this following line: " This is just a beginning towards a larger objective, to include Barkurians in all walks of life, culture, and faith in this mainstream…."  We did a fairly good job in presenting a few living ones in our 'Personality of the Month', POM column.  While continuing this POM column, now, we want to depict the Barkurians who are no more with us physically, but mere memories to some or unwritten history to many others.

"Famous ones need not be Great and Great ones may not be Famous. Scores of such 'great ones' lived in our Barkur - few left relics and legacies behind, like the Educational Institutions, Hospitals, Roads, Bridges, Dams, and Houses of God, etc.  These people lived a saintly life in the service of society, not craving for fame, name, or fortune for themselves," observes Archibald Furtado of Nagarmut.

"We, the beneficiaries, have an obligation to express gratitude and show respect to all those personalities, posthumously of course, for their sacrifices in helping to shape the present Barkur, and for improving the lifestyles of Barkurians," says James Fernandes, of Moodahadu Kudru.

With these views in mind, and in response to many of our readers' desire to know and learn from such personalities, for the benefit and knowledge of the present and future generations, Barkuronline is delighted to open a new column named, "Hall of Famers of Yester Barkur," to present and honor a few personalities and their praiseworthy contribution to Barkur.

Folks, please share your candid memories, comments, or kudos.  These will be presented in our widely read popular Sandesh column.  Feel free to recommend your worthy choices, along with some bio-data including the legacy they left behind, and we will accommodate them in this new column to the our best of ability.  Who knows, these might wind up in a book form, Gods-willing! Thank you for your continued support.

-Barkuronline.com team, January, 2004.

Archives

J. P Sequeira
P.N.Bhojarao
Fr. Alfred Roche
Yajna Narayana Rao
Jerome R. Picardo

K.T.N. Raman Nambiar

Most of us may not know have heard the name 'K.T.N. Raman Nambiar', but practically the entire South Kanara, North Kanara, and some people from Mysore,  Bangalore, or Bombay knew and/or had heard of Barkur Pandith.  This late but great personality was born in Kannanoore District, Thaliparamba Taluk, Nelloore Village, thus the initials KTN, in a reputable Nambiar Family, in the year 1893.  He studied Ayurvedic Medicine in a Sanskrit medium school at Payanoor, Kerala.

For some unknown reason he moved to Barkur in the early 1930s.  It must have been a challenge to come and settle in a place where the language Malayalam was never heard of.  Just as love knows no language, so also pain and suffering.  Hence, this Barkur Pandith knew the language of suffering, thus he learned Kannada very quickly.

Practically, every family born and raised in Barkur must have tried our Pandith's decoction/mixture, (Kasayam), pills, jelly pastes, etc', for upset bellies, fever, or cuts and bruises.  Even though, the influence of western medicines was rampant, and the British supporting only the western medicines, and practically forcing people not use the local, age old, less expensive medicines, still Barkur Pandith survived in this field, if not triumphed!  I would like to use the word triumph, mainly because, of his TEN children's successful lives.  Since, there were no other recreational activities in Barkur, 'creation' was the best recreation, which was a very common practice to have plenty of children.  He died on 20-2-1980, at a very ripe age of 87. 

Dr. Nambiar was married to late K. Paatiamma.  Together they were blessed with seven sons and three daughters:  The firstborn Madhavi  Amma is not living anymore.  Second child is Dr. Raghavan Nambiar, who is an Ayurvedic Physician at Navunda.  The third child is Mrs. Karthiyayini Amma, who is a house wife settled in Barkur.  The fourth one is Mr. Madhavan Nambiar, presently retired as a Chairman of Grameena Bank.  Next one is Mrs. Sumathiyamma, a housewife.   The sixth child was late Dr. Gangadhar Nambiar.  The seventh one is Dr. Gopinath Nambiar, MBBS, practicing at Vandse.  Following the footsteps of Gopi, Raghuraman Nambiar is an MBBS doctor, practicing at Baindoor.   The ninth youngman is Mr. Rathnakar Nambiar, a popular teacher at NJC Barkur.  And, believe it or not, the last child Dr. Ramachandra Nambiar is the one who is practicing at his father's dispensary at Barkur, thus carrying on the family practice.   Based on these successful children, I must say, Pandith Nambiar had a full life, a successful life, and he definitely triumphed in Barkur.  However, he did not leave behind a palace, or vast real estate, or money rotting in the banks!

Dr. Nambiar was known for his sympathy and compassion.  He rarely charged the poor folks.  In lieu of cash he used to accept vegetables or coconuts, or any other farm produce.  There was belief, that he had a healing hand or touch.  There used to be a big line of patients on Fridays as people used to come for Friday market, and to fetch the weekly medicines as well. 

We could manage to find some published newspaper articles in Kannada, which are appended.  Please read these articles to know further triumphs of Dr. KTN Nambiar, popularly known as 'Barkur Pandith'.

Barkuronline.com and its team acknowledge the selfless medical services rendered to Barkur and the people from its vicinity.  May his soul rest in peace.

Some Articles appeared in different News papers...

-James Fernandes, USA.