P K Sukumaran Papers

This collection broadly covers P K Sukumaran’s study and research work in the field of Haematology and Blood Diseases from the early 1960s while he was training in London under the reputed biochemist Hermann Lehmann. It includes material till the late 1980s when he was appointed as a specialist in haemoglobinopathies at the Wadia Hospital and Research Institute in India.

Sukumaran’s papers have been generously donated to the Archives at NCBS by his niece Krishnaja A P, who is a cytogeneticist and a former scientist at Babha Atomic Research Centre (BARC), Mumbai whose papers have also been archived. The collection has been sorted into 2 series and 8 sub-series.

Series 1: Research

Sub-Series 1: Correspondence

Sub-Series 2: Research Notes

Sub-Series 3: Research Data

Sub-Series 4: NEBUTA Fellowship

Sub-Series 5: Meetings and Symposia

Sub-Series 6: Photographs and Slides

Sub-Series 7: Published Work

Sub-Series 8: Research Reprints

Series 2: Ephemera

Series 1: Research This series covers research work that Sukumaran was engaged in between the 1960s to 1990s. This is broadly covered through eight sub-series: correspondence, research notes, research data, NEBUTA fellowship, meetings and symposia, photographs and slides, published work, and research reprints. The sub-series has been arranged considering original order and the arrangement structure is aimed at capturing Sukumaran’s process. Sub-Series 1: Correspondence (2 March 1962 - 10 September 1987) Consists of letters exchanged between fellow researchers, collaborators, doctors, and institutes requesting advice for a certain diagnosis, blood samples, or reprints for reference. This sub-series has been arranged chronologically. Sub-Series 2: Research notes (Undated) Contains two diaries with excerpted notes by Sukumaran, lab notes by a student named K Madian, and research data intended for N Veeraraghavan, the former director of Pasteur Institute, Coonoor. The diaries also contain photographs, receipts from travel, collectibles, and lab data. This sub-series has been arranged alphabetically. Sub-Series 3: Research data (1965 - 1971) Contains two folders of electrophoresis patterns, one sent from the Indian Council of Medical Research and the other collected through research and diagnosis. This sub-series has been arranged alphabetically. Sub-Series 4: NEBUTA fellowship (15 July 1963 - 28 July 1964) Primarily contains letters, invitations, and receipts from the Netherlands between 1963 - 1964 while Sukumaran was on the NEBUTA fellowship. This sub-series is arranged alphabetically. Sub-Series 5: Meetings and Symposia (5 January 1968 - 8 August 1988) Contains invitations for lectures at various medical institutes and meeting minutes from Cancer Research Institute, Bombay. This sub-series has been arranged alphabetically. Sub-Series 6: Photographs and slides (Undated) Contains photos taken of Sukumaran at meetings and conferences and photos of his collaborators. Also includes 545 slides across various categories such as microscopic images, human subjects and patients, thalassaemia data, and infographics from publications. This sub-series has been arranged alphabetically. Sub-Series 7: Published work (1954 - 1990) Contains 41 published articles written or co-authored by Sukumaran. This sub-series has been arranged alphabetically. Sub-Series 8: Research reprints (Undated) Contains articles, annual report, educational material, and a book received or collected by Sukumaran related to Haematology and blood disorders. This sub-series has been arranged alphabetically.

Series 2: Ephemera Sub-Series 0: This series consists of Sukumaran’s personal notes and collectibles. It includes a copy of Sukumaran’s CV and that of a fellow haematologist John H Crookston. Also included are a portrait of Sukumaran, a poster in Dutch, a newsletter clipping featuring Sukumaran, notes on early life and career, and an article in his memory by his niece Krishnaja A P, a cytogeneticist. This series has been arranged alphabetically.