Dr. Muthu Krishna Mani (commonly known as M.K. Mani) is a pioneering Indian nephrologist widely regarded as one of the founders of modern nephrology in the country. He served for many years as Chief of the Department of Nephrology at Apollo Hospitals, Chennai, and is best known for his expertise in the management of renal disorders. The Government of India awarded him the Padma Bhushan in 1991.

Born in Tamil Nadu, he completed his MBBS from Madurai Medical College in 1959 and obtained his MD in General Medicine from Madras University in 1962. He later became a Fellow of the Royal College of Physicians (FRCP), London.

Dr. Mani emerged as a leading figure in Indian nephrology at a time when specialised kidney care was still developing in the country. He introduced and refined techniques for the diagnosis and treatment of a wide range of renal conditions, including end-stage renal disease, and contributed significantly to the practice of dialysis and renal biopsy. He has published more than 125 scientific papers on various aspects of nephrology.

One of the most publicly remembered episodes of his career was his role in treating the veteran freedom fighter and socialist leader Jayaprakash Narayan when the latter developed serious kidney problems. The successful management of that high-profile case brought wider attention to the emerging specialty of nephrology in India.

He joined Apollo Hospitals, Chennai, in its early years and served as Chief Nephrologist for several decades, helping establish high standards of renal care at the institution. Beyond clinical practice he has been active in academic work, delivering important orations such as the Dr. Pathros Matthai Memorial Oration of the Indian Society of Nephrology (Southern Chapter) in 2018, and has spoken extensively on the prevention and management of chronic kidney disease in the Indian context.

In addition to the Padma Bhushan (1991), his honours include the Dhanvantari Award (2011), the Ravindranath Tagore Award, the John H. Dirks Award of the International Society of Nephrology (2005), and honorary Doctor of Science degrees from universities including the Tamil Nadu Dr. M.G.R. Medical University and NTR University of Health Sciences.

Dr. Muthu Krishna Mani is remembered as a clinician of quiet excellence who helped lay the foundations of specialised kidney care in India and trained and inspired successive generations of nephrologists.