Dr. Bhagirath Majmudar, a Pillar of the Atlanta Indian Community, Passes Away
Dr. Bhagirath Nanubhai Majmudar, physician, teacher, poet, playwright, and Hindu priest, passed away on August 15, 2025, at the age of 87. His life and work touched countless individuals across continents, and his contributions to medicine, education, and the Indian community leave a lasting legacy.
Born in Nadiad, Gujarat, to Nanubhai and Pramila Majmudar, Bhagirath’s brilliance was evident from an early age. He ranked first in Sanskrit and mathematics, earned the prestigious Jagannath Sheth Gold Medal, and was a prize-winning orator in Gandhi-inspired elocution competitions.
After immigrating to the U.S., his career began at Salem Hospital in Massachusetts, continued at Ohio State University, and, in 1971, brought him to Atlanta. At Emory University School of Medicine and Grady Memorial Hospital, Dr. Majmudar served as Professor of Pathology and Associate Professor of Obstetrics and Gynecology for more than four decades. Known for his scientific rigor and passion for teaching, he received numerous honors, including Emory’s highest teaching accolade, the Evangeline Papageorge Distinguished Teaching Award.
Beyond the medical field, Dr. Majmudar was a cultural leader in Atlanta’s Indian community. A founding member, president, and board chair of the India American Cultural Association (IACA), he helped establish cultural classes for children. He wrote and directed plays that brought the community together. As a Hindu priest and Sanskrit scholar, he officiated at more than 450 weddings — many of them interfaith — blessing couples with warmth and wisdom. His writings in English, Sanskrit, Hindi, and Gujarati ranged from medical essays to poetry and drama, and his voice was often heard at temples, churches, synagogues, and civic forums promoting interfaith understanding.
For all his public achievements, his greatest joy was his family. He is survived by his beloved wife Uma; daughters Nija (Joseph Meyer) and Sangini (Ilja Bedner); and grandchildren Hans, Arya, Indra, and Bodhi, who knew him simply as their beloved “Da.”
A full tribute to Dr. Bhagirath Majmudar’s remarkable life and legacy will appear in the October issue of this magazine.
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