A Prophecy in the High Ranges
When Mariamma was three months pregnant, she met a Badaga chieftain in the misty high ranges of Munnar. The old man looked into her eyes and told her that she would give birth to a boy on a Sunday, at midday. He would bear a birthmark on his right wrist and grow up to be a healer—not just of the body, but of the heart itself. Mariamma laughed at the old man’s words.
But fate had its own plans.
On a bright Sunday afternoon, K.M. Cherian was born, bearing the very birthmark foretold by the chieftain. And true to the prophecy, he would go on to become one of the world’s greatest cardiac surgeons, healing thousands of hearts, both literally and metaphorically.
A Boy and His Obsession with the Heart
Growing up in the lush plantations of Mundakayam, Kerala, young Joji—Cherian’s childhood nickname—was different from other boys his age. While his friends climbed trees and played in the fields, he had a fascination for living things, especially their hearts.
At just ten years old, he was already performing dissections—not on cadavers, but on lizards and chameleons he caught in the wild. He would carefully pin them down, open their tiny chests, and watch the heartbeats in fascination. He was mesmerized by the rhythm, the movement, the pulse of life itself. Based on his observations, he even sculpted a clay model of the heart. It was clear: medicine wasn’t just a career choice for him—it was a calling.
Lessons in Knowledge and Humility
As a young medical student at Kasturba Medical College in Manipal, Cherian had an insatiable thirst for knowledge. He absorbed everything his mentors taught him, applying it with precision and curiosity.
One day, after assisting his professor, Dr. M.P. Pai, in surgery, the senior doctor handed him an envelope containing ₹15. A confused Cherian refused it, saying he wasn’t expecting to be paid. Dr. Pai smiled and told him, “In life, never chase Lakshmi (the goddess of wealth). Always pursue Saraswathi (the goddess of knowledge), and Lakshmi will follow you. I am giving you Saraswathi, not Lakshmi. Keep her with you.”
These words became the guiding philosophy of Cherian’s life—knowledge over money, passion over profit.
A Surgeon’s Journey Across Continents
Determined to become the best in his field, Cherian pursued his FRACS in Cardiothoracic Surgery in Australia. He then worked under some of the world’s most renowned heart surgeons—Sir Brian Barratt-Boyes in New Zealand, Dr. John W. Kirklin in Alabama, and Dr. Albert Starr in Oregon.
At a time when cardiac surgery in India was still in its infancy, he could have chosen to stay abroad, building a lucrative career in Western hospitals. But his heart, ironically, was still in India. He returned, determined to bring cutting-edge cardiac surgery to his homeland.
Pioneering Cardiac Surgery in India
Back in India, Cherian’s achievements began making history:
- 1975 – He performed India’s first successful Coronary Artery Bypass Surgery.
- He carried out India’s first Pediatric Heart Transplant.
- He pioneered the country’s first Heart-Lung Transplant.
- He introduced TMR (Laser Heart Surgery) in India, giving hope to thousands of patients.
His expertise and leadership led him to establish some of the country’s top medical institutions, including the Madras Medical Mission, Pondicherry Institute of Medical Sciences (PIMS), and Frontier Lifeline Hospital (FLL).
But his work wasn’t just about surgeries—it was about shaping the future of cardiac care in India. He was relentless in training young doctors, preventing the “brain drain” of Indian medical talent to foreign countries. As Dr. Madhu Shankar, his longtime associate, put it, “He was hell-bent on making sure India never fell behind in cardiac surgery.”
A Transplant Based on Humanity
Among his many historic surgeries, one held a special place in his heart.
A Hindu woman, Hema Soundarrajan, had passed away, and her family had agreed to donate her heart. The recipient? A Muslim woman, Maimoon Beevi. The surgeon who performed the transplant? A Christian—Dr. K.M. Cherian.
The symbolism was powerful, and it didn’t go unnoticed. Former President A.P.J. Abdul Kalam once told Cherian, “You know, doctor, blood has only one color—red. That’s something we need to remind our politicians.”
Beyond Medicine – A Man of Many Facets
Despite his intense dedication to medicine, Dr. Cherian had a personality full of contradictions.
He was known to be a perfectionist, a tough taskmaster, even having a reputation for a temper. Yet, at the bedside, he was a patient listener, a compassionate healer. He believed that medicine was not just about treatments but about making people feel safe and cared for.
His life outside the hospital was just as intriguing. He had a passion for hunting, and in his apartment “Xanadu”, a stuffed panther—shot decades ago by his father—stood as a silent guardian. Few knew that he carried a Smith & Wesson Magnum in his briefcase or that he was incredibly particular about his appearance, often trimming stray hair with Swiss scissors after a fresh haircut.
The Final Conversation
Even in his final years, his passion never wavered.
Sometime last year, he called the author of his biography to discuss his book. When asked about his health, he nonchalantly mentioned he had undergone two surgical procedures just months earlier. “I knew what was happening to me and what treatment was needed,” he said, brushing aside any concern. Instead, he excitedly spoke about his next medical venture, always thinking ahead, always planning for the future.
That was the last conversation they ever had.
A Legacy Etched in Stone and Hearts
Dr. K.M. Cherian’s name is now engraved on a stone in Kos Island, Greece, alongside three other Indian surgeons, in honor of his contributions to cardiac surgery. The birthplace of Hippocrates, the “Father of Medicine,” now bears witness to the name of one of India’s greatest healers.
But more than stones or awards, his real legacy lives in the thousands of hearts he saved, the countless doctors he trained, and the future he helped shape for cardiac surgery in India.
Dr. K.M. Cherian was not just a doctor.
He was a healer, a teacher, a pioneer, a visionary.
Credits: Times of India, drkmcims – KMC Hospital Profiles
