CV Raman Biography is an inspiring story of a great Indian physicist who made one of the most important discoveries in science. Sir CV Raman was born in Tiruchirappalli in the Madras Presidency of British India (now Tiruchirapalli, Tamil Nadu, India) to Tamil Iyer Brahmin parents, Chandrasekhar Ramanathan Iyer and Parvathi Ammal. He was the second of eight siblings. His father was a teacher at a local high school and earned a modest income.
He recalled: “I was born with a copper spoon in my mouth. At birth, my father earned the magnificent salary of ten rupees per month!” In 1892, his family moved to Visakhapatnam (then Vizagapatam or Vizag) in Andhra Pradesh as his father was appointed to the physics faculty at Mrs A.V. Narasimha Rao College.
This CV Raman Biography offers an in-depth look at his life, career, and the remarkable impact he’s made.
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CV Raman Biography
Raman was educated at the St Aloysius’ Anglo-Indian High School, Visakhapatnam. He passed matriculation at age 11 and the First Examination in Arts examination (equivalent to today’s intermediate examination, pre-university course) with a scholarship at age 13, securing first position in both under the Andhra Pradesh school board (now Andhra Pradesh Board of Secondary Education) examination.
In 1902, Raman joined Presidency College in Madras (now Chennai), where his father was transferred to teach mathematics and physics. In 1904, he obtained a B.A. from the University of Madras, where he stood first and won the gold medals in physics and English. At age 18, a graduate student, he published his first scientific paper on “Unsymmetrical diffraction bands due to a rectangular aperture” in the British journal Philosophical Magazine in 1906.
In 1907, he earned an M.A. from the same university with the highest distinction. His second paper, published in the same journal that year, was on the surface tension of liquids. Along with Lord Rayleigh’s paper on the ear’s sensitivity to sound, Lord Rayleigh started communicating with Raman, courteously addressing him as Professor.
Aware of Raman’s capacity, his physics teacher Rhishard Llewellyn Jones insisted he continue research in England. Jones arranged Raman’s physical inspection with Colonel (Sir Gerald) Giffard. Raman often had poor health and was considered a “weakling.” The inspection revealed that he would not withstand the harsh weathers of England, the incident of which he later recalled, and said, “[Giffard] examined me and certified that I was going to die of tuberculosis… if I were to go to England.”
Career and Research
After completing his education, Dr CV Raman joined the Indian Finance Department. However, his passion for scientific research led him to continue experiments in physics. While working at Calcutta University, he became deeply interested in light scattering. In 1928, he made his most significant contribution to science by discovering the Raman Effect. This discovery led him to win the Nobel Prize in Physics in 1930.
CV Raman Inventions
C V Raman’s most famous invention was the Raman Effect, which explains how light interacts with molecules and changes its wavelength. This discovery led to Raman Spectroscopy, a powerful tool in physics and chemistry. Dr Chandrasekhara Venkata Raman also conducted studies on the acoustics of musical instruments and the blue colour of seawater.
C V Raman’s Contribution to Science
Sir Chandrasekhara Venkata Raman made many contributions to scientific research. His work in optics and light scattering changed our understanding of physics. The Raman Effect is widely used in chemistry, biology, and medicine. He also established the Raman Research Institute in Bangalore to encourage young scientists to continue physics research.
Awards and Honors
Sir CV Raman received many awards for his significant contributions to science. Some of his notable awards include:
- Nobel Prize in Physics (1930)
- Bharat Ratna, India’s highest civilian award (1954)
- Franklin Medal (1941)
- Lenin Peace Prize
- Hughes Medal
- CV Raman Award for scientific excellence
10 Points About CV Raman
- Chandrasekhara Venkata Raman was born on November 7, 1888.
- He was the first Indian scientist to win the Nobel Prize in Physics.
- He discovered the Raman Effect in 1928.
- He worked at Calcutta University as a Palit Professor.
- He founded the Raman Research Institute in Bangalore.
- He was awarded the Bharat Ratna in 1954.
- He was a fellow of the Indian Academy of Sciences.
- He contributed to the Indian Journal of Physics.
- He was interested in the science of musical instruments.
- He inspired future scientists like APJ Abdul Kalam and Subrahmanyan Chandrasekhar.
C V Raman Age at Death
C V Raman passed away on November 21, 1970, at 82. His contributions to science remain valuable today, and his legacy inspires young scientists.
20 Lines About CV Raman
- C V Raman was an Indian physicist known for his work in optics.
- He was born in 1888 in Tamil Nadu, India.
- His father, R Chandrasekhara Iyer, was a professor of physics.
- He studied at Presidency College and later joined the Indian Finance Department.
- Despite his job, his love for science never faded.
- He made his most significant discovery, the Raman Effect, in 1928.
- This discovery helped develop Raman Spectroscopy.
- He won the Nobel Prize in Physics in 1930.
- He was the first Indian Nobel Laureate in science.
- He became a Palit Professor at Calcutta University.
- He established the Raman Research Institute in Bangalore.
- He was awarded the Bharat Ratna and Lenin Peace Prize.
- His work influenced many Indian physicists, including K S Krishnan.
- He was a member of the Indian Academy of Sciences and the Indian Association for the Cultivation of Science.
- His studies on light scattering revolutionized modern science.
- He contributed articles to the Indian Journal of Physics and Current Science.
- He was honoured with the Franklin Medal for his contributions.
- He was married to Lokasundari Ammal.
- He believed strongly in scientific inquiry and discovery.
- He left behind a lasting legacy in the field of physics.
Legacy and Impact
Sir Chandrasekhara Venkata Raman’s contributions to science continue to inspire researchers worldwide. His discovery of the Raman Effect has applications in multiple fields, including chemistry, biology, and medicine. His work laid the foundation for many advancements in scientific research.
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Conclusion
Sir CV Raman was a great scientist who dedicated his life to scientific inquiry. His work in physics, especially the discovery of the Raman Effect, changed the world’s understanding of light and matter. His legacy remains strong through the institutions he founded, such as the Raman Research Institute and the Indian Institute of Science. Today, his contributions are celebrated yearly on his birth anniversary and National Science Day in India.