Dr. Krishnamurti Dakshinamurti

It is with sadness that we announce the death of Dr. Krishnamurti Dakshinamurti on October 13, 2022, peacefully with his family by his side, following a brief illness.

Born in 1928 in Vellore India, son of a man who fought for the British Army in Mesopotamia during WWI but resigned his commission after the Jallianwala Bagh massacre, Dakshinamurti became first a student activist in the Quit India resistance, then an acolyte of Mahatma Gandhi and an advocate of non-violence during India’s liberation from British rule. One of the few living in Canada who had met and spoken with Gandhi, he founded the Mahatma Gandhi Centre of Canada to promote the cherished ideals of non-violent conflict resolution and human rights for all.

Offered positions in Winnipeg or Honolulu, Dakshinamurti chose snow shovels over surfboards, and joined the University of Manitoba’s Department of Biochemistry in 1965. A renowned scientist and scholar, and a walking encyclopedia of biochemical pathways, his research included work on the physiology and pharmacology of B vitamins, childhood epilepsy, vitamin-dependency syndromes, diabetes and metabolic syndrome diseases. Through the 1980’s, Dakshinamurti was involved with the Nobel committee for Medicine, nominating eminent scientists for consideration. He received Canadian and international research awards, lectured at hundreds of universities and scientific assemblies around the world, and was mentor and role model for countless students, including generations of Manitoba doctors. He retired as Emeritus Professor in 1998, but continued to research and write into his 90’s. In 2002, he was recognized in the Cambridge University Press Publication of Biographies as one of the Outstanding Scientists of the 21st century; in 2020, he was appointed Member of the Order of Manitoba.

A philanthropist closely involved with his community, he hit the ground running as a member of the Centennial Committee of Winnipeg in 1967, was honoured by the Winnipeg Chamber of Commerce, became a pillar of numerous cultural organizations, worked on fundraising campaigns in response to disasters local and abroad, and founded the Dakshinamurti Academy of Hindu Studies at Winnipeg’s Hindu Temple. He loved a logical argument in politics as in science; was an aficionado of Shakespeare, symphonic music and Sanskrit poetry.

A gentle, philosophical soul, known for the quiet twinkle in his eye and stealthy sense of humor, his sharp style in 1950’s suits (did they ever go out of fashion?) and distinctive bow ties; he was the family chef and maker of a mean martini. Beloved husband and father, lovingly remembered by his wife of 61 years, Ganga; daughters Shyamala (Stan Whyte) and Sowmya (Doug Eyolfson); his brother Chandrasekar (Suseela); many nieces, nephews, extended family and friends around the world.

Funeral Service will be held on Tuesday, October 25, 2022 at 2 pm, at Thomson “In the Park” Funeral Home, 1291 McGillivray Blvd; masks required please. Virtual attendance is available via this link: https://youtu.be/xOPm9iJTI6w

The family is deeply grateful to the health care team at Grace Hospital.

In lieu of flowers, donations in Dr. Dakshinamurti’s memory may be made to the Mahatma Gandhi Centre of Canada or to the Heart and Stroke Foundation of Canada.

Shantipath will be held Wednesday, October 26 from 7pm to 8 pm at the Hindu Temple, 999 St Anne Rd.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.thomsoninthepark.com for the DAKSHINAMURTI family.