Sir C.V. Raman

09/27/10

" In the game of 'Snakes and Ladders', the snakes as well as ladders are both in the same chart. The thrill and joy of ladders, as also the  grief consequent of snakes, both are in same chart. So also are        heaven and hell, both within this world, within the life lived herein,  and not elsewhere up above  or  down below ! "  ( Spring Leaves    by   KMG )

         Earlier, I had related a brief life-sketch of a great Son of ancient India, the physician-surgeon, Sushrutha. Stories of great people are indeed inspiring and enlightening.  Today let us know something about another great Celebrity of India of recent times, a person of the last century, the great  Chandrasekhara Venkata Raman (popularly known as Sir. C.V. Raman), a great Luminary in the field of Science, who was a Fellow of Royal Society of England, Fellow of Russian Academy of Sciences, recipient of Nobel Prize in Physics, and the topmost Indian National Award of  Bharat Ratna.

        Sir C.V. Raman  was born on 07 Nov 1888 in Trichy, Tamil Nadu. His mother was Parvati Ammal, and his father Chandrasekhara Iyer, who was a Physics teacher in one of the local Colleges, and a great learned scholar.  As such, the home atmosphere was very congenial for Raman to be self-disciplined, to become inquisitive as to what he saw and heard, and to be on the top in his studies right from elementary level.  He passed his Matriculation at the age of twelve, and he was a Gold Medalist in his graduation. His parents wanted him to go abroad to study Advanced Physics, but could not go on medicalgrounds. Hence Raman  studied in the Madras Presidency College and obtained his M.Sc in Physics in 1907. In 1907 itself, Raman passed the prestigious I.C.S (Indian Civil Service,now called I.A.S), and was posted as Deputy Accountant General in Calcutta. Though he was quite busy with official duties, he did not experience job-satisfaction. During his leisure hours in the evenings, he would carry out his research work in the Lab of the Indian Asso-ciation for Cultivation of Sciences. Raman was highly influenced by the researches of the British scientists, as well as the Secretary of the above Association. By then, Raman lost his father. He subsequently resigned his post, and took up teaching Physics at the Calcutta University, devoting his time fully towards academic pursuits, and his research activities.  He started writing articles on 'Sound Vibrations' noted while playing different musical instruments like violin, mrudangam, tabla etc.  Being in the research lab, he conducted many experiments, had opportunities to travel abroad, and discussing with renowned Scientists.

        During a sea voyage in 1921, Raman became anxious to know why sea-water, glaciers and the sky were blue in color. After returning to India, he conducted many experiments dealing with this aspect, worked on 'scattering of light',  and found out the reason. By now he became an international figure in the realm of Physics.

        In 1924,  he was made FRS (Fellow of Royal Society,  London). In 1925 he was made Fellow of the Russian Academy of Sciences. In 1926, He started the publication of the ' Journal of Physics '.  In 1927 he discovered the 'Raman Effect' which was of utmost importance in understanding molecular structure of chemical compounds, and also became a powerful tool in use of Laser beams to cure many ailments, as also in Defence equipments. He was Knighted in 1929 and came to be henceforward known as Sir. C.V. Raman. In 1930 he received the highly prestigious Nobel Prize in Physics, for his outstanding works on the 'Scattering of Light', and for the discovery of the 'Raman Effect'. In 1954 he was the recipient of the highest Indian Civilian Award, the  'Bharat Ratna'.

        The Govt of Mysore gifted to Sir. C.V. Raman  twenty-five acres of land to be used for accomodating the needed Labs for continuing his eminent researches. His dream-child is the Raman Research Institute in Bangalore, a reputed institution for original scientific research.  He was also closely associated with the Indian Institute of Sciences, Bangalore, an eminent Institution established much before the advent of the Indian Institutes of Technology.

        Sir C.V. Raman (who used to be in the traditional attire with the white turban)  never aspired for any high position. His greatest ambition was the advancement of Science. He led a very simple, noble and saintly life, living as a devoted student of Science till his very last. Many governmental and non-governmental organizations honored him in several ways.  The Raman Research Inst in Bangalore, is a fitting Memorium to him and his great work. 

        This great Scientist-Son of India  breathed his last  on  20th November 1970.

        ( NB:  A  personal  Note.  I was indeed fortunate to have seen and heard this illustrious person during sometime in nineteen fiftees or so, in the Legislative Building in Public Garden, Hyderabad.  He was that day explaining some of his researches concerning the crystal structure of Diamonds. His eminent speech was interspersed  with subtle humor too.  He was of dark complexion by birth.  I remember he  remarked jokingly, that the Almighty had blessed him with a complexion that was  absolutely  blush-proof ! )

          Well, that was something about the celebrated Nobel Laureatte Sir. C.V. Raman. 

    ( Source-book:  'World Renowned Scientists'. A Vasan Book Depot, Bangalore, Publication)