Remembering Dr. Bhagirath Majmudar
Doctor, writer, Sanskrit language scholar

By Dr. Seshu Sarma

Atlanta, GA: Dr. Bhagirath Majumdar, one of the legends of Atlanta Indian community, passed away on the early hours of August 15, 2025, surrounded by his family. A man of brilliant mind and varied interests, Dr Majmudar had an impact on everyone who came into contact with him. For all his accomplishments, Dr. Majumdar remained modest. He was very humble, anybody could approach him and talk to him, and anyone who did received good advice.

Dr. Bhagirath Majmudar was a distinguished expert in Obstetric and Gynecologic Pathology and a highly revered educator at Emory University. He was known not only for his academic brilliance and superb teaching skills but also for his compassionate and caring nature, a trait he sought, as a member of the Admissions Committee, in students applying to Emory University School of Medicine.
 

Dr. Majmudar's academic and teaching career was stellar, and he received numerous awards for his dedication to education, including the Golden Apple, the Dean's Teaching Award, the Best Basic Science Faculty Award, and Emory's most prestigious honor, the Evangeline Papageorge Distinguished Teaching Award. The Georgia Obstetrics and Gynecological Society recognized his lifelong contributions to reproductive health with a Distinguished Service Award. He authored 70 scientific papers published in peer-reviewed journals and served on the editorial board of the Journal of Reproductive Medicine. His expertise extended beyond the university, as evidenced by his service as a consultant to the World Health Organization.

Dr. Majmudar, fondly called "Dr. Maj," was highly esteemed and revered at Emory and nationally. During Grand Rounds in Obstetrics and Gynecology at Emory, his 10-minute concluding remarks as the pathologist were considered the final verdict and were a highlight of the conference.
Beyond his professional life, Dr. Majmudar was a magnanimous person with a passion for community and the arts. He was a faculty adviser to Emory's Hindu Student Council and served as a Hindu priest for over 30 years, officiating more than 400 marriages, many of them interfaith. He found peace in his love for Sanskrit, art, literature, and poetry, and even had a passion for acting, appearing in and writing several local plays.

When we brought our youngest son, Sriram, home in 1999, Dr. Majmudar insisted on performing his Nama Karanam, the naming ceremony. He invited many friends, officiated the event himself and celebrated the event in the most authentic style. He and his wife, Dr. Uma fed the guests a sumptuous meal. It was one of the most memorable events in our lives. He also ensured that we brought Sriram in his Halloween costume to their home that year, blessing him both with treats and invaluable blessings.