About Our Founder
Dr. K. Damodaran was not just a surgeon—he was a healer, a poet, and a visionary whose dedication to medicine and literature left an indelible mark on society.
About Dr. K. Damodaran
Dr. K. Damodaran was born as the youngest son of Shri. Krishnan and Kungipennu of Kuttiyil House in Mulluvila, Thattamala, Kollam. After completing his primary education at Ayathil, he attended Mayyanadu High School. He passed the Intermediate examination from Saint Berkmans College, Changanassery, and later joined the newly established Sree Narayana College, Kollam, where he obtained his B.Sc. degree in Chemistry with distinction.
Immediately after graduation, he was appointed as a demonstrator at Sree Narayana College. The following month, he secured admission to the MBBS course at the newly opened Medical College in Thiruvananthapuram. His first posting as a doctor was at Muthukulam, where he earned the reputation of being the
"Poor Man’s Doctor."
His compassion and dedication made him highly popular among the local community. It was during this period that he met poetess Muthukulam Parvathy Amma, whose influence ignited his lifelong passion for poetry. Inspired by her, he began publishing poems in leading periodicals.
Despite his growing success, financial struggles continued to challenge him. As a result, he accepted a deputation to the island of Androth in Lakshadweep. Though isolated from Kerala, this period provided him with a serene and inspiring backdrop that deeply influenced his poetry. However, over time, the solitude became overwhelming, prompting him to return to Kerala, where he was posted as a resident doctor at the District Hospital, Kollam.
In 1962, he married Smt. Jayadevi, daughter of Mr. Madhavan Muthalaly and Smt. Sarada. While working at the District Hospital, he developed a keen interest in surgery and medical science. The limited opportunities in his role as a resident doctor led him to pursue a postgraduate degree in surgery. Since no such program was available in Thiruvananthapuram at the time, he gained admission to Irwin Medical College (now Maulana Azad Medical College) in Delhi. After earning his postgraduate degree, he joined Kottayam Medical College as a tutor and was later transferred to Kozhikode Medical College.
Returning to the Kerala Health Services, he was appointed Head of Surgery at the District Hospital in Kannur. In 1970, he was transferred to Kollam District Hospital, where he served for many years, with a brief tenure as Superintendent of the General Hospital in Thiruvananthapuram. In 1981, he was promoted to Assistant Director of Health Services. However, having suffered a cardiac attack three years prior, he decided to prioritize his health and opted for voluntary retirement.
Following his retirement, he established a small surgical clinic and nursing home in Kollam. With his expert supervision and the support of colleagues and friends, the institution flourished and eventually grew into a renowned hospital. Despite his demanding career, he remained actively involved in public service and continued to nurture his literary pursuits. He published a book of poetry and contributed regular medical columns in Malayalam periodicals, simplifying complex medical concepts for the general public.
His wife, Smt. Jayadevi, remained a pillar of support throughout his journey, playing a crucial role in his success. Together, they raised three sons, all of whom followed in his footsteps. Their eldest son, Dr. Anil Roby, is a super-specialist in cardiology and currently manages the hospital founded by his father. The second son, Dr. Anish Roshy, is a scientist working in Virginia, USA, while the youngest, Dr. Ajith Rony, is a gastroenterologist overseeing the laboratory services.
Today, Dr. Damodaran's legacy lives on through his family, who continue to uphold the values and vision he cherished, carrying forward his dream to greater heights.
