Raman Perumpillil Marar, who migrated to Australia about five decades ago from Cheranalloor in Kerela, was very well respected in both the Indian and wider Australian communities. He passed away on 31/01/15 at Monash Hospital, Clayton, due to ill health. He was 87 years old. He is survived by his wife Mrs Sati Marar and two children, Sunitha and Sudhir.
Dr Marar was the recipient of the Order of Australia Medal (OAM) in the Queen’s Birthday Honours list for Victoria in 2002, for service to the Indian community, particularly through the Federation of Indian Associations of Victoria. He was also the first OAM recipient from the Malayalee community.
He was the President of the Federation of Indian Association of Victoria (FIAV) for five years and a patron of the Malayalee Association of Victoria. In 2013 he was honoured by the Melbourne Malayalee Federation.
Dr Raman Marar completed his Bachelor of Education in 1971 and his Masters of Education in 1973 from Monash University, Melbourne. He went on to complete his PhD at La Trobe University, writing his thesis on ‘A cost benefit analysis of the Harijan education program of Kerala, India’. He retired as a Professor from Swinburne University in 1994.
Dr Marar also played a key role in the establishment of the Shiva Vishnu Temple in Melbourne.
According to Madhu Nair from the Malayalee Seniors Association, and a close family friend, “Dr Marar was very supportive and helpful by nature He worked tirelessly for the goodness of the temple and the community and was always willing to help new arrivals from India.”
Madras Banyan Tree posted as below:
“Dr Raman Marar. The gentlest soul we have known. A very precious customer of Madras Banyan Tree and a very revered Victorian is no more. RIP Sir. Our heartfelt condolences to his family and friends.”
A public memorial service for Dr Marar is being held on Sunday 15 February at the Cultural Centre at the Shiva Vishnu Temple in Carrum Downs