India remembers physicist Chandrasekhara Venkata Raman on his birth anniversary on November 7. Born on November 7, 1888, in Tiruchirappalli, Tamil Nadu, Raman became internationally recognised for discovering the Raman Effect alongside his student K. S. Krishnan on February 28, 1928. The discovery demonstrated that light changes wavelength when scattered through a transparent material, transforming the study of light and matter.
For this work, Raman received the 1930 Nobel Prize in Physics, becoming the first Asian to receive the honour in the field. Beyond his scientific achievements, he played an important role in strengthening India’s research institutions, establishing the Indian Academy of Sciences and the Raman Research Institute. His birth anniversary offers an opportunity to revisit his contribution to physics and his influence on scientific research in India.
From A Young Scholar To A Researcher
Chandrasekhara Venkata Raman was born on November 7, 1888, in Tiruchirappalli, Tamil Nadu, to R. Chandrasekhar Iyer and Parvathi Ammal. His interest in academics became evident early, as he completed his matriculation at the age of 11 and his intermediate examination at 13. He later joined Presidency College in Madras, now Chennai, where he completed his bachelor’s degree in 1904, securing the first position and winning gold medals in Physics and English.
At the age of 18, while pursuing postgraduate studies, he published his first scientific research paper on the diffraction of light in the British journal Philosophical Magazine in 1906. After completing his master’s degree in 1907, Raman qualified for the Indian Finance Service and joined the government as an Assistant Accountant General in Calcutta, now Kolkata. However, his professional responsibilities did not stop him from pursuing scientific research.
He began conducting experiments at the Indian Association for the Cultivation of Science (IACS), where he explored acoustics and optics. His research included the scientific principles behind musical instruments such as violins, cellos, tabla and mridangam. In 1917, he left his government position to become the first Palit Professor of Physics at the University of Calcutta, choosing a career dedicated to research and teaching.
The Discovery That Earned Him The Nobel Prize
One of Raman’s early investigations into optics began during a voyage from England to India in September 1921. While observing the blue colour of the Mediterranean Sea, he questioned the prevailing explanation that its appearance was primarily caused by the reflection of the blue sky. Using a pocket-sized spectroscope and a Nicol prism, he investigated how light interacted with seawater. His observations encouraged further research into molecular scattering.
This interest eventually led to his most significant scientific discovery. Working with his student K. S. Krishnan, Raman investigated how light behaved when it passed through different transparent substances. The research gained momentum after the acceptance of the Compton Effect, which demonstrated the particle-like behaviour of electromagnetic radiation. Raman believed that a similar phenomenon could occur with visible light. On January 7, 1928, Krishnan observed additional scattered light during experiments involving pure liquids. Following further investigation, Raman and Krishnan successfully obtained spectra of the modified scattering on February 28, 1928, distinguishing it from the original incident light.
A spectrograph developed by Raman helped them detect and measure the changes in wavelength. Initially described as modified scattering, the phenomenon subsequently became known as the Raman Effect. The discovery was announced to the press on the same day and attracted international scientific attention.
In 1930, Raman received the Nobel Prize in Physics for his work on light scattering and the discovery of the effect named after him. He became the first Asian to receive the Nobel Prize in Physics. The discovery also laid the foundation for Raman spectroscopy, a scientific technique used to study the molecular composition and properties of materials.
A Legacy Beyond The Nobel Prize
Raman’s contribution to science extended beyond his discovery of the Raman Effect. In 1933, he moved to Bengaluru after becoming the first Indian director of the Indian Institute of Science (IISc). During the same year, he founded the Indian Academy of Sciences to encourage scientific research and provide a platform for researchers in the country.
His investigations continued across several fields, including crystal dynamics, acoustics, optics, diamonds and the properties of minerals. After retiring from IISc in 1948, he established the Raman Research Institute in Bengaluru, where he remained active in scientific research until his death. In recognition of his contribution to the country, he received the Bharat Ratna in 1954. His discovery also became the reason behind an important annual observance in India.
February 28 is celebrated as National Science Day to commemorate the discovery of the Raman Effect in 1928. The technique developed from his research continues to be used in scientific investigations, including the identification of minerals and the analysis of different materials. Raman died on November 21, 1970, at the age of 82. His journey from a government finance officer to an internationally recognised physicist remains an important part of India’s scientific history.
The Logical Indian’s Perspective
C. V. Raman’s life demonstrates how curiosity, independent thinking and sustained dedication can transform scientific understanding. His achievements remind us that groundbreaking research does not necessarily require access to expensive resources or prestigious institutions, but it does require an environment that encourages questions, experimentation and critical thinking.
His collaboration with K. S. Krishnan also highlights the importance of student-researcher partnerships in advancing scientific knowledge. As India remembers Raman on his birth anniversary, celebrating his Nobel Prize should go hand in hand with strengthening scientific education, supporting research institutions and creating opportunities for young people from different backgrounds.
Scientific progress must become accessible beyond laboratories and academic circles, reaching classrooms and communities across the country. Encouraging children to question established ideas and explore the world through evidence can help build a more informed and progressive society.
What more can India do to encourage young minds to pursue scientific research and contribute to discoveries that benefit humanity?
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