Samoothiri Raja P K Kerala Varma passes away

KOZHIKODE: Samoothiri Raja P K Kerala Varma (89), of the Puthiya Kovilakam at Thiruvannur in Kozhikode, passed away. He had been residing at Chinthavalappil in Kozhikode. He was an expert in pharmacology. He had received both central and state government awards for his excellence in business.

He was the son of Balarama Varma of the Nedumpram Palace in Thiruvalla. His mother, Sreedevi Varma, had given one of her own bangles to Mahatma Gandhi during the freedom struggle. Sreedevi had also participated in the Maarumarakkal strike.

Kerala Varma studied up to the Intermediate level at Zamorin's College. He obtained a degree from L M College of Pharmacy in Ahmedabad. He worked at the German Remedies pharmaceutical company in Mumbai. Later, he returned to Kerala and worked as a non-medical tutor at the medical college.

He then established his own pharmaceutical manufacturing company under the name Narniat Pharmaceuticals. He was also a member of the export promotion council under the central government. He visited nine countries during this period.

He leaves behind his wife Jayashree Varma of the Nedumpram Palace in Thiruvalla and children Sunitha Raja (Delhi) and Dr Sujith Varma, Principal of KMCT College of Pharmacy. His son and daughter in laws are K C Ravindra Raja and Divya, a teacher in Koyilandy.