Vaidyanatha Subrahmanyan did his DSc (1927) from University of London, UK. He was Professor, Department of Biochemistry, Indian Institute of Science (IISc), Bangalore (1927-48); Planning Officer and Director, Central Food Technological Research Institute, Mysore (1948-till retirement); CSIR Emeritus Scientist; FAO Food Technologist, Philippines (1964-66); Adviser, Subsidiary Foods and Nutrition, Ministry of Food and Agriculture, Community Development and Cooperation, New Delhi (1966-69); also Project-Coordinator and Director, Paddy Processing Centre, Tiruvaroor, Tamil Nadu (1969-79).
Academic and Research Achievements: Subrahmanyan’s researches spanned biochemistry, food processing and nutrition. Under his stewardship at Central Food Technological Research Institute, a great deal of the work was done in such areas as processing of cereals, pulses, oilseeds and buffalo milk, and preservation of fruits, vegetables and fish. During 1968-69, Subrahmanyan helped start a paddy-processing research center. Several findings of practical importance emerged from the center, e.g. application of salt spray for quick ripening and increased yield of paddy, elimination of smell and increased yield of parboiled rice, and production of oilrich bran, all of which found applications.
Other Contributions: Subrahmanyan was Founder Member of the Society of Biological Chemists (India) and also served as Member, INSA Council (1938, 1952-54 and 1959-60). He organized the Central Food Technological Research Institute and developed it as one of the largest and best equipped research institutions in the country.
Awards and Honours: Professor Subrahmanyan was conferred the HK Sen Medal by the Institution of Chemists of India (1959); Rafi Ahmed Kidwai Memorial Prize (1960, 1963); Babcock-Hart Award by Institute of Food Technologists, USA (1962); Friesland Award by Netherland Association for the Advancement of Dairy Science (1963); KG Naik Gold Medal (1964); Awards of Recognition by Philippine Association of Nutrition and Food Technologists (1966); Bires Chandra Guha Memorial Lecture Award by INSA (1969); and Padma Shri (1960). He was also elected Fellow of the Indian Academy of Sciences, Bangalore.