The Legendary Doctor of Madras

By Indian Columbus - January 16, 2023

If you are from Chennai, I am sure you would have passed through the famous Dr. Ranga Road in Mylapore. If it is not so, never mind! At least, you would have noticed the imposing statue at the entrance of G.H. (General Hospital) diagonally opposite Central Railway station.

Have you ever wondered who is this Dr. Ranga after whom the famous road named? Have you ever halted for a minute to study the details of the statue at G.H.?

The British-era statue near the main gate of G.H. depicts the legendary Doctor, a medical genius, the one and only Dr. Rangachari. Sadly, Dr. Rangachari Road of Mylapore was shortened to Dr. Ranga. It is difficult for anyone to relate it to the legendary medical practitioner.

Dr. Rangachari was the people's Doctor. He never cared about money. He dedicated his entire life to his patients. He worked more than 14 to 15 hours daily serving the patients. He was like an incarnation born to serve the people through his excellent medical knowledge. The public funded this statue as a tribute to their favorite surgeon. It was unveiled by Lord Erskine, the then Governor of Madras, in 1939.

Diwan Bahadur Sarukkai Rangachari, shortly called Dr. Rangachari, was a medical practitioner, surgeon and gynecologist. He was the first Indian to hold the post of the Deputy Superintendent of the Egmore Women's and Children's Hospital. After servicing government hospitals in his initial years, he started his private hospital named Kensington Nursing Home, later.

He had his private plane, which he used to fly to remote places to provide medical service. He was called the "Flying Doctor".

The statue depicts Dr. Rangachari with his hands locked behind and holding a stethoscope. His head is bowed down with deep tenderness in his facial expression. Two women patients are depicted on either side of the platform where his statue is erected. The statue beautifully captures and expresses the qualities of this great personality.

The writer Rajam had written a detailed book about him in the 1960s. In 1976, the Association of Surgeons of India started Dr. S. Rangachari Research Endownment Awards in the revered memory of this eminent surgeon philanthropist. Besides these, there was hardly anyone cared about this renowned personality. I wonder why no one ever thought to make movies and plays based on the life history of this motivational personality.

Happy travelling.