Anatomy

A Chronicle of the Department of Anatomy

Anatomy is to Medicine as Geography is to History;

it describes the theatre of events

J. Fernel

The department of Anatomy began functioning from June 1, 1925 with Dr. G. M. Kurulkar at the helm of affairs as Assistant Professor. The first batch had 46 students - 40 male and 6 female. The number of students has, since, grown to a hundred and eighty, with roughly an equal number of male and female students.

The department has been headed by a succession of multi-faceted & multi-talented 'Renaissance-men' who lived, worked and taught with great passion; each one leaving his distinctive and indelible mark on the working and philosophy of the department, which is today the synthesis of the efforts of these dedicated men.

What all of them shared was a firm belief, passed on to us, that is best expressed in the caption on the painting of the 'Thinking skeleton' which adorns the wall over theatre 3 (Socrates) -

Vivtr in Genio. Cetera mortis Ervnt

- Genius alone lives, all else is mortal.

But, more importantly, what they all shared was humility, tolerance, compassion and an unassuming demeanor, with none of the flamboyance of the anglican intellectuals of the day.

These here are brief sketches of the men who shaped the department.

Dr. R.P. Koppikar - headed the department between 1926 & 1952. He was largely responsible for the fine collection of specimens in Comparative and Human Anatomy that adorn the departmental museum. He visited medical institutions abroad in 1932-33. He became Dean of GS medical college and KEM Hospital between 1942 & 1945.

The Dr. R.P. Koppikar elocution was established in his lifetime.

Dr. G.M. Kurulkar ( Head- 1952 to 58 ) was a Sanskrit scholar, with a keen interest in Ayurved. He was well known for his studies in Physical anthropology of Indian Subjects, especially the tribal people of western India. He had the distinction of being President of the Anthropology section of the Indian Science Congress. Dr. G.M. Kurulkar died in 1970. His family, through a generous donation established the Dr. G.M. Kurulkar memorial oration in 1971 which to date, has brought forth several eminent personalities from varied fields to the department, to share with us their thoughts and ideas. The departmental museum was refurbished, following his death, with a generous donation from his wife, and is today, named after him.

Dr. K.D. Desai assumed charge in 1958, on retirement of Dr. G.M. Kurulkar. He was selected Rockefeller fellow for the year 1958 and visited Denver, Colorado for a year. His fields of interest included embryology, teratology, tissue culture and medical education. He was Chairman board of studies in Anatomy & Physiology, University of Bombay from 71-76. He was chairman of the committee appointed by the Government of Maharashtra for preparing a Marathi lexicon of Anatomical terms. Several of the present members of faculty have been tutored by Dr. Desai and still vivid in their memory, is a portly, affable, grey-haired gentleman, pouting his lips over a particularly vexing problem. Dr. Desai was, nevertheless, a tough task-master when it came to students' dissections - which he supervised with great interest.

Dr. S. M. Bhatnagar who next headed the department until 1981 and who still does us the honour of a visit, now and then, is perhaps best known and revered for his keen intellect and mastery over the art of expression. Author of the 'Essentials of Human Embryology', Essentials of Human Genetics', Dr. Bhatnagar's restless, searching intellect led him also to a study of law, and an LL.B. from the University of Bombay. Dr. Bhatnagar, referred to, fondly as just 'Sir' by most senior members of faculty, continues to be actively involved in teaching, writing and providing wise counsel when most needed.

In 1981, Dr. M.L. Kothari, from playing helmsman for many a year, became captain. A general surgeon by profession, Dr. Kothari, on joining the department took to Anatomy full time.

Dr. Kothari , perhaps more than anyone else characterizes the kind of leadership this department has always had and has now grown used to. No branch of study was off-limits, no effort too pain-staking, when it came to 'seeing' a concept in its entirety. Dr. Kothari, through his vast reading, was able to incorporate varied subjects into the understanding of Anatomical concepts - ranging from vedanta to quantum mechanics. He used his awesome oratory to great effect, to mould and shape a whole generation of medical students into men and women who sought excellence, pursued their goals with great enthusiasm, yet were always able to see the 'other' point of view.

What today, still attracts old students and patients alike, is perhaps the human being within, rather than the intellectual. What soothes and comforts the most belligerent affect is the twinkle in the eye, the grin , and the nonchalant wave of the hand which say - 'live and let live'.

Even though Dr. Lopa Mehta became the official head of the department only in 1994, she has been taking care of the administrative responsibilities since 1981. Her contribution towards the growth of the department has been phenomenal. Her vision, long-term planning, administrative qualities and devotion brought about trend setting innovations in teaching, learning and evaluation in the subject of Anatomy.

She has guided postgraduate MS and M.Sc. Biology students and has been actively involved with the Board of Studies, University of Mumbai. She has authored many renowned textbooks of Anatomy, which are of national and international repute. Apart from Anatomy, she has written books on various other subjects.

She has the qualities of a good leader and a capable manager and has been instrumental in organising various events including Platinum Jubilee Celebration of the institution. Her services towards the welfare of the staff and the students have directly and indirectly helped the institution. Since she has been an alumnus of Seth GS Medical College and KEM Hospital, her life has been inextricably entwined with the soul of the institution.

Dr. Lopa Mehta continues to teach in the department as senior professor, following her superannuation in 2002 and to serve as its guiding light through thick and thin.

We should also like to place on record the meritorious services to the department, of Dr. CF Pereira, Dr. PM Mehta, Dr. Ramesh Rege, Dr.MK Kadam, Dr. TS Ahuja, Dr. JL Shah.