Director
Prof. A. Abraham (1914-1994), an internationally known cytogeneticist and well-respected teacher, was the founding Director, whose long cherished dream of establishing a botanic garden became a reality in 1979. His extraordinary charisma and skill in management evoked respect in policy makers and scientists alike. It was his caliber, far sightedness and vision that together enabled him to spearhead a team of young people to lay the foundation of the botanic garden. Prof. A. Abraham served as the Director of TBGRI during 1979-1983. Later, he relinquished the post at his own will and handed over the baton to Prof. A. N. Namboodiri, his one time student, friend and colleague. Even after his retirement, Prof. Abraham continued to show great interest in the activities of TBGRI and tried to attend important meetings as long as his health permitted. Orchids had a special place of pride in his heart. Along with his student Vatsala, Prof. A. Abraham published a detailed treatise on South Indian orchids (Abraham & Vatsala, 1981) in which 150 species were described and illustrated. The major orchid collection, which he established in TBGRI is fondly named as ‘Prof. A. Abraham Orchid House’. He is commemorated by Luisia abrahamii Vatsala (1981), Osbeckia abrahamii G.S.Giri & M.P.Nayar (1984), Thottea abrahamii Dan, P.J.Mathew, Unnithan & Pushp. (1996), Ischaemum abrahamii Ravi, N.Mohanan & R.Rajesh (2001), Meliola abrahamii Hosag., C. K. Biju & G. Rajkumar, Scoparia dulcis var. abrahamii S.N.Pardeshi & Srinivasu (2009), Psychotria abrahamii Razafim. & B.Bremer (2014).
Prof. A. Abraham (1914-1994), an internationally known cytogeneticist and well-respected teacher, was the founding Director, whose long cherished dream of establishing a botanic garden became a reality in 1979. His extraordinary charisma and skill in management evoked respect in policy makers and scientists alike. It was his caliber, far sightedness and vision that together enabled him to spearhead a team of young people to lay the foundation of the botanic garden. Prof. A. Abraham served as the Director of TBGRI during 1979-1983. Later, he relinquished the post at his own will and handed over the baton to Prof. A. N. Namboodiri, his one time student, friend and colleague. Even after his retirement, Prof. Abraham continued to show great interest in the activities of TBGRI and tried to attend important meetings as long as his health permitted. Orchids had a special place of pride in his heart. Along with his student Vatsala, Prof. A. Abraham published a detailed treatise on South Indian orchids (Abraham & Vatsala, 1981) in which 150 species were described and illustrated. The major orchid collection, which he established in TBGRI is fondly named as ‘Prof. A. Abraham Orchid House’. He is commemorated by Luisia abrahamii Vatsala (1981), Osbeckia abrahamii G.S.Giri & M.P.Nayar (1984), Thottea abrahamii Dan, P.J.Mathew, Unnithan & Pushp. (1996), Ischaemum abrahamii Ravi, N.Mohanan & R.Rajesh (2001), Meliola abrahamii Hosag., C. K. Biju & G. Rajkumar, Scoparia dulcis var. abrahamii S.N.Pardeshi & Srinivasu (2009), Psychotria abrahamii Razafim. & B.Bremer (2014).