A New Dawn in Medicine
It was the 1950s, and India, a fledgling democracy, was experiencing a renaissance in various fields, including medicine. Madras (now Chennai) had established itself as the Mecca of Medicine in the country, home to some of the brightest minds and ablest hands. It was an era before MRIs and steroids, where surgeons relied on skill and intuition. In this backdrop, a small band of pioneers, under the leadership of Prof. B. Ramamurthy, was carving out a niche in neurosurgery—a field still tethered to general surgery. Among these trailblazers was a woman who would go on to break societal and professional barriers: Dr. Thanjavur Santhanakrishna Kanaka, Asia’s first female neurosurgeon.
Breaking Barriers: Early Life and Education
Born on March 31, 1932, in Madras, Dr. Kanaka was raised in an intellectually stimulating environment. Her father, Santhanakrishna, was the principal of Madras Teachers College and the Deputy Director of Public Instruction, while her mother, Padmavathi, nurtured the family at home. Though initially inclined toward spiritual studies, she was encouraged by her mother to pursue medicine, a decision that would change the course of Indian neurosurgery.
Dr. Kanaka completed her medical education at Madras Medical College (MMC) in the late 1940s, a period marked by India’s newfound independence and a spirit of defiance. Despite her academic excellence, her journey into surgery was fraught with gender discrimination. Few women dared to enter the field, and those who did were met with skepticism. The admissions committee repeatedly found faults with her application, making it an uphill battle to secure a spot in the Master of Surgery program. When she finally succeeded, she was the only woman among eight residents, facing persistent bias from peers and superiors.
Triumph Over Adversity: Residency and Army Service
As a resident, Dr. Kanaka encountered numerous challenges. Her male counterparts often received priority in surgical procedures, while she was relegated to the sidelines. Her skills were questioned, and she was unfairly subjected to multiple retakes of qualifying exams. However, her perseverance knew no bounds. She volunteered during the Indo-China war (1962-1963), serving as a medical officer in the Indian Army, where she further honed her skills.
Her determination ultimately led to her earning an MS in General Surgery in 1963, followed by an MS in Neurosurgery in 1968. With the support of mentors like Dr. Ramamurthi and Dr. A. Venugopal, she emerged as a formidable force in Indian medicine.
Pioneering Functional Neurosurgery in India
The late 20th century saw groundbreaking advancements in neurosurgery, particularly in stereotactic surgery—a minimally invasive technique using three-dimensional imaging to treat brain disorders. Fascinated by its potential, Dr. Kanaka dedicated her career to refining these techniques. She pursued a PhD in stereotactic surgery, focusing on movement disorders, cerebral palsy, epilepsy, and psychiatric conditions.
By 1972, she had completed her doctorate and later earned a fellowship at the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA). Over the next 15 years, she performed over 1,700 stereotactic procedures, pioneering the use of deep brain stimulation (DBS) in South Asia. Her innovative work at the Madras Institute of Neurology placed India on the global map of neurosurgical excellence.
Service to Society: Philanthropy and Advocacy
Beyond her surgical prowess, Dr. Kanaka was a staunch advocate for accessible healthcare. She established a cerebral palsy clinic in collaboration with Madras Medical College, ensuring affordable treatment for low-income patients. She prioritized the use of locally sourced medical equipment, making cutting-edge procedures more cost-effective. In honor of her parents, she founded the Sri Santhanakrishna Padmavathy Health Care and Research Foundation, which provided free medical care to underprivileged communities.
Her selflessness extended beyond medicine—she donated blood 139 times, earning a place in the Limca Book of Records. She also collaborated with Indian biomedical engineers to develop deep brain stimulation kits, further solidifying her impact on both neurosurgery and medical technology.
Legacy and Inspiration
Dr. Kanaka’s contributions to neurosurgery and medical accessibility remain unparalleled. She not only shattered gender norms but also introduced revolutionary surgical techniques that transformed patient care in India. Her unwavering dedication to her craft, despite relentless discrimination, serves as a beacon of inspiration for future generations of medical professionals.
Her story is not just one of scientific achievement but of resilience, service, and an unyielding spirit. Dr. Thanjavur Santhanakrishna Kanaka remains an indelible figure in the annals of Indian medicine—a woman who carved her own path in a male-dominated field and, in doing so, paved the way for many more to follow.
Reference: Dhanashekar A, Ganti L (September 14, 2024) Dr. Thanjavur Santhanakrishna Kanaka: Asia’s First Female Neurosurgeon and a Pioneer of Functional Neurosurgery. Cureus 16(9): e69403. doi:10.7759/cureus.69403
Photo reference: https://wfns.org/news/54/obituary-prof-thanjavur-santhanakrishna-kanaka
