Holistic medicine. You've heard that one before? What about integrated medicine? Well there' news for you—this one's exclusive to India and it is probably the first time in the world that different forms of medicine ranging from those as diverse as naturopathy and allopathy to ayurveda, yoga, yunani and homeopathy are
being brought together under one umbrella. SOUKYA is Dr Mathai's dream child. And, like
a precious child it has been conceived and nurtured with great care. From the stately gates that open into the 30-acre orchard farm to the minutest detail, everything seems to have gone through with a fine toothed comb. Modelled on the lines of
international spas and health resorts, SOUKYA is a combination of all these and more. And, why not, they've had the best brains in the country and from across the globe paying them a visit. Chief Minister S.M.Krishna has experienced the facility and returned impressed. So has Mallika Sarabhai who even sent them local Gujarati artisans to decorate their yoga center with mirror work. "The place has to be beautiful, and appeal to both the body and mind. It has to be tranquil and peaceful. We want the patients and guests to leave everything behind. Once they enter, the outside world must cease to exist," says Dr Mathai.

To many, this euphoric place might seem a little contrived, but the fact is that it works. Integrated medicine brings together not just the world-renowned ayurveda and homeopathy but also allopathy. So SOUKYA has guests who are being treated for stress and obesity (maladies of the rich and the famous!) as well as those with serious cardiac problems, arthritis and dystrophy among other diseases. Dr Mathai has a
patient base of over 1000 people spread across 30 countries.

Schooled in London, and with many years of invaluable experience at the Hale Clinic, supposedly Europe's largest holistic health clinic, Dr Mathai returned 10 years ago to set up facilities in India. "I started on a small scale with two clinics in the city. We wanted a model that would provide treatment for all. The idea was to charge the rich and use that income to treat the poor. The fact that free treatment is utilised more by the rich is another story," he laughs.

He can afford to laugh especially at the quirks of the rich and the famous; he's been

treating them for years. In fact, it was the former Duchess of York Sarah Fergusson's visit, that put the spotlight on the low-pro-file doctor. "I have treated Sarah for many years, and am now a consultant. I would like to stress that I'm not the physician for the Royal family. That involves a different kind of practice altogether, I have however been involved in the treatment of the children, and of Andrew over a period of time." As for Prince Charles, Mathai has the highest regard and fondness. "He is the
greatest patron of holistic medicine, and it means a lot to have someone like him endorsing your product. He couldn't make it to the summit that has just concluded in Bangalore though he did send his envoy. And yes, he has promised to visit at the earliest."

To questions on the health of his famous patients ranging from Pandit Ravi Shankar to Sting, from late George Ham-
son and the inimitable Tina Turner, he has only this to say. "These are people who can-
not afford to be ill or be off duty even for a single day. They are performers round the clock and it is their well-being rather than
their treatment that we're involved in." Mathai's biggest grouse is that health is never a consideration in India till it starts failing. "There is so much one can do to prevent instead of which they concentrate on houses, expensive outfits and fancy cars. And, then spend a huge amount to treat diseases that could have been prevented in the first place."

Soukya, in Sanskrit means good health and that is what Mathai proposes to ensure with his new venture. Inspite of the fact that age old treatments and cures will be administered, the facility has a totally international look when it comes to gadgets and gizmos. The hygiene and cleanliness standards are at par with the best in the world. And yet, the look is rural Indian. Hand made roof tiles, stone structures, hand plastered walls, beautiful flooring and infinite space. Open cou-rtyards, showers and baths in enclosed gardens, rooms that could beat even the best hotels. All this and more. Not to forget the treatments. SOUKYA serves its guests only vegetarian fare grown in-house at the organic farm.

The only thing that city dwellers might miss is television and music. "There is no television and no music system which leaves the guest very confused. The first question I'm asked is 'What will I do here?' But by the second day their question is answered."

Among other attractions is a swimming pool that is also used for under water exercise to help arthritic patients. A specially created walking track filled with water and laid with stone, smooth to sharp are used to improve the reflexes which the soles of our feet have lost over a period of time due to the constant use of footwear. Besides treatments, massages and therapies, yoga and open meditation is also encouraged and taught. Guests come in from all over the world, some of them Dr Mathai's patients and others' who've been recommended by friends. "After his visit, Deepak Chopra was so impressed that he started recommending SOUKYA to many people," says Mathai.

Many more celeb visits are on the cards but ideally, Mathai would like his centre to serve as a model and inspire the government to set up something along similar lines for the public. He says, "I understand that SOUKYA is a very, very up market, elite and niche product. It had to be—to serve an international patient base. However, health tourism is a big thing and I'm hoping the government will cash in during the boom period by using our rich heritage of age old medicines and integrating it with allopathy and other modern techniques."

Even as we discuss the importance of technology in treatments we hear that a like-
ly visitor for the year-end might be none other than the material girl Madonna. "Her friend was here to whet the place. The only
thing they've expressed is that they would prefer individual villas instead of the suites that we have." And, is the good doctor going to oblige? He laughs, "Not really, I've just
told them that it will be good for Madonna to come down and experience a simple way of life." Simple? Plush suites fit for royalty. Treatments and therapies that could set back lesser mortals financially. A place and experience to die for. Ready for some simple living folks?

Previously low profile, Dr. Issac Mathai has recently been in the news for two reasons. One, he played host to Sarah Fergusson on her rushed visit to Bangalore last month. Two, and more importantly, he is also establishing a international holistic healing centre in Whitefield on the outskirts of Bangalore. It will be a combination of a spa and a medical centre.

Mathai`s childhood was inconspicuous. He grew up in gods own country, in the picturesque hills of Kerala. "My mother was a well known homeopathy doctor. Very often, difficult cases that were almost dismissed as fatal by allopathic doctors were brought to her. By the age of twelve I could assist my mother by putting different medicines in different sachets." And before he realised it, childhood enchantment turned into a concrete career option.

He had literally imbibed the secrets of homeopathy at his mothers knee, and that stood him in good stead. "I already knew what tablets to dispense. And because of this skill, I was always one up on my colleagues." In final year at college, he was sent to colombo as a part of a student member delegation to attend the alternate Medical

conference where he presented a paper on 'How to incorporate yoga therapy in medicine.' "The conference opened my mind to the possibility of studying different alternate systems and that homeopathy alone was not the answer." He came back a changed man.

Mathai`s in-depth knowledge impressed the college authorities. As part of his training programme, he was attached to the 101 Clinic where he worked as an assistant for a year before he was promoted to the rank of a physician.

After successful one year tenure , he was offered consul-

tancy services with the same clinic. He gladly accepted the offer and was soon travelling extensively, tending to patients.

The small-town kottayam boy had indeed come a long way. He was now hobnobbing with the bold and beautiful. The rich and famous in Hollywood sought his expertise in the field of holistic medicine.

And they all loved him for one reason. He treated them normally. No unnecessary fawning and fussing. Mathai remembers his first encounter with sting; "When first came to see me, I did not know who he was. His throat was not in good shape. I told him that he would have to rest for three days. He replied that that would not be possible.I was little annoyed and told him to do whatever he wanted. He then explained that he was a singer and he had a audience of 50000 waiting for him. I was losing patience but still managed to convey to him that his body was not going to change according to his programme and it had to be vice versa.

He went away laughing. About two days later , I saw him on television and only then realised who he was. So the next time he came to my clinic I apologised to him. He spontaneously confessed , " that`s what I like about you, I want people to treat me normally"."

When Tina Turner walked into his clinic, his staffers went into a frenzy. True to form he could`t understand what the fuss was all about - he did not know Tina from Eve! He taught her breathing exercises and noise washing technique. "She is a wonderful person. when she comes to the clinic she is simply attired that no one can even recognise her. When she comes for treatment, she spends nearly a day at the clinic and we have long chat between consultations. Tina is a strong believer in Buddhism and has

the affinity towards Indian philosophy and our way of life. She is very keen on visiting India but somehow the plans haven`t materialised."

Former beatles star George Harrison is another personal friend. " He is deep rooted, solid and spiritual. He has been to India several times and loves the country. I have had very interesting conversations with him." he says

Dr. Issac Mathai shares a relationship with his celebrity patients that extends far beyond the perfunctory doctor-patient codes of conduct. His parents have a very intimate one-to-one rapport with him. " They confide in me about the relationship problems, business problems, marital problems. And I am able to give them a balanced and objective overview about the situation. They are comfortable with me because I treat them normally.

This 36-year-old now has patients in 30 countries around the world, In places as exotic as Antigua and turkey. But Issac Mathai is a simple Indian at heart, and soon he felt the call of his mother land. Seven years passed. . He toyed with the Idea of setting up an International Holistic Health Centre in India. "In `89 we organised an International Holistic Conference at hotel Ashok in Bangalore. The Dalai Lama was the chief patron and it was attended by 500 delegates from all over the world. It was a very successful conference."

The Duchess of York may have come and gone, but Mathai is no seven day wonder. His fax machine rings. Incessantly. His intercom buzzes at repeated intervals. Interested investors and patients alike hound him with E-mail. But the doctor remains unperturbed. For him it is just another day in paradise.