THIRUVANATHAPURAM: Dr P K Raghava Warrier, renowned cardio-thoracic surgeon, social activist and the first chief of the Department of Cardio-Thoracic Surgery at the Government Medical College here, died on Saturday. He was 90 and lived at 'Piravi,' Vazhuthacaud. He is survived by daughter Anasooya Warrier. Film director Shaji N Karun is his son-in-law. The cremation was held on Saturday night. He was known for his Communist sympathies and was quite close to E M S Namboothiripad. Born on August 13, 1921, Warrier was deeply involved in the freedom struggle during his student days. He also met his future wife, Devaki Pallam, at a freedom rally. Later, Dr Warrier served at various government hospitals in South India. He left for London for the Fellowship of the Royal College of Surgeons, which was bestowed upon him in 1960. 'Experience and Perceptions,' Dr Warrier's autobiography was published in 2004. Its original text in Malayalam 'Anubhavangal, Anubhaavangal' had won the Kerala Sahitya Akademi Award.
A humanitarian to the hilt, Dr Warrier had also decided to donate his eyes.