Professor TC Narendran

It is with great enthusiasm we have informed you all the release of the latest issue of SAMAGRA (vol. 9) (26 December 2013), which contains five new curious insects from the Western Ghats by Prof. TC Narendran. Unfortunately that rejoicing mood ended soon. The eminent entomologist, Prof. TC Narendran passed away on the early morning of 31st December, 2013. He was very active and enthusiastic till his death at the age of 69. The Centre for Research in Indigenous Knowledge Science & Culture (CRIKSC) lost one of its ever inspiring founder members.

Prof. TCN has described more than 1000 species of new insects. Most of them are parasites, which control the population of other insects. He usually says that all his achievements are due to the blessings of his guru, Prof. M.S. Mani, the noted Indian entomologist. Trained in the Natural History Museum (London) and Smithsonian Institution (Washington), Prof. TCN has maintained high standards in his research. He has been working in close association with the renounced entomologists such as Dr. Z. Boucek (UK), Dr. D. Kovac (Germany), Dr. K. Konishi (Japan), etc.

Major part of his life was as the faculty member of the Zoology Department of University of Calicut. He also headed the Department for some period. For the last many years he has been associated with the Western Ghat Regional Centre of the Zoological Survey of India (ZSI), Kozhikode, Kerala as an Emeritus Scientist. He has published more than 350 research papers, 9 books, including 6 research monographs. More than 25 students have so far been awarded doctoral degrees under him.

He was a Fellow of the Indian Academy of Sciences, and a recipient of the prestigious EK Janaki Ammal Award for Taxonomy instituted by the Government of India. To promote the studies on insects, he has established the Prof. TC Narendran Trust for Animal Taxonomy.

With the sad demise of Prof TCN, India lost a dedicated taxonomist, and a noble person, who was ready to help the youngsters

A great loss to Indian Animal Taxonomy. He was a very enthusiastic researcher and a dedicated person, On 30th December also he done his research upto 7 pm. His discovery of around 1043 species of insects, which represents nearly 1.7% of insect diversity known from India.

Certainly a great loss to Indian Taxonomy, such able and active scientists are always a treasure to have…
May the great soul rest in peace.

That is very sad. He is my guru as he is to so many. Indeed a great loss to insect taxonomists. I am at a loss for words. May his soul rest in peace