Thu Apr 03 15:10:13 UTC 2025: ## Kozhikode’s Former Zamorin Family Head, K.C. Unniyanujan Raja, Passes Away at 100
**Kozhikode, April 3, 2025** – K.C. Unniyanujan Raja, the 100-year-old head of Kozhikode’s erstwhile Zamorin family, passed away on Thursday evening at a private hospital in the city after a week-long illness. A respected figure known for his diverse interests and technological prowess, Raja’s death marks the end of an era.
Raja, born on July 8, 1925, had a distinguished career, working at the Integral Coach Factory, Tata Steel, and HMT. His expertise extended beyond engineering; he was an early adopter of advanced technologies, notably Computer Numerical Control (CNC) machines. In 1969, he travelled to Germany to receive training on a newly acquired CNC machine for HMT, a feat highlighting his dedication to technological advancement. His passions also included photography and he even installed a home theatre featuring slides from his travels abroad at a time when such technology was rare. Further demonstrating his forward-thinking nature, he spearheaded the digital mapping of over a hundred acres of the Guruvayurappan College compound, predating government-led initiatives.
His family described him as having a keen interest in subjects ranging from traditional mathematics to advanced computing. He is survived by three daughters. His body will lie in state at the Town Hall on Friday for public viewing before being taken to his ancestral home in Malappuram for final rites.
First Piper 