C. V. Raman

C. V. Raman – Life, Science & Lasting Legacy

Learn about Sir C. V. Raman (1888–1970), the Indian physicist who discovered the Raman effect, became the first Asian Nobel laureate in physics, and built Indian institutions of scientific research. Explore his biography, scientific contributions, philosophy, quotes, and lasting impact.

Introduction

Sir Chandrasekhara Venkata Raman (7 November 1888 – 21 November 1970) was a towering figure in 20th-century physics. Born in colonial India, he overcame institutional and financial constraints to make seminal discoveries in light scattering, culminating in the Raman effect. In 1930 he became the first Asian and non-white person to win a Nobel Prize in the scientific fields.

But Raman was much more than that single discovery. He championed Indian science, established research institutions, mentored generations of scientists, and remained intellectually active until his final days. In this article, we trace his life, scientific journey, personality, and enduring legacy.

Early Life and Education

Chandrasekhara Venkata Raman was born on 7 November 1888 in Tiruchirapalli (then in Madras Presidency, British India). Chandrasekhara Iyer, was a lecturer in mathematics and physics, and his mother Parvathi Ammal came from a well-educated family.

Raman showed precocious ability: he passed his matriculation examination at age 11, and his intermediate examination by age 13. Presidency College, Madras in 1902, and by 1904 he had earned his B.A. in physics, ranking first and receiving a gold medal.

Despite having no advanced training or study abroad, Raman’s early publication record was remarkable: while still a student, he published a paper on diffraction of light (1906) and another on surface tension (1907) in Philosophical Magazine.

Because of health considerations, Raman did not travel abroad for further training (he was deemed too frail for the climate).

Early Career & Scientific Awakening

After his education, Raman joined the Indian Finance Service (later the Indian Audit and Accounts Service), becoming Assistant Accountant General in Calcutta (then Bengal).

He gradually transitioned from administrative service to academia. In 1917, he became the first Palit Professor of Physics at the University of Calcutta, a position he held until 1932. Bengaluru (then Bangalore) to serve as Director of the Indian Institute of Science (IISc), becoming its first Indian director.

Around that time, he also founded the Indian Academy of Sciences (1934) and later established the Raman Research Institute (1948) as a dedicated hub for fundamental physics.

The Raman Effect & Scientific Contributions

Discovery of the Raman Effect

Raman’s most celebrated achievement is the discovery of what is now called the Raman effect or Raman scattering — the inelastic scattering of photons by molecules, which results in a change in their wavelength.

In 1928, working with his student K. S. Krishnan, Raman observed that when monochromatic light traverses a transparent medium, a small fraction of the scattered light emerges with frequencies different (shifted) from the incident frequency. This was a phenomenon distinct from the classical (elastic) scattering already known.

He published the results in Nature (1928) and formally announced “A new type of secondary radiation.”

This effect provided strong evidence for quantum interactions of light and matter, and became a foundational tool for spectroscopy, molecular structure analysis, and material science.

Other Scientific Work

Although the Raman effect dominates his fame, Raman’s scientific interests were broad:

• Acoustics & Musical Instruments: He studied the theory of musical sounds, the harmonics of instruments such as the violin, tabla, and other Indian percussion instruments.

• Optics & Sea Color: While en route to India from Europe, Raman pondered why the sea is blue. He challenged the prevailing idea that the sea’s color was the reflection of the sky, and analyzed light scattering by water itself.

• Crystal spectroscopy & materials: In later years, Raman worked on optical behavior in crystals, the structure and properties of diamond, iridescent substances (opal, quartz, pearly materials), colloid optics, and the interaction of light with vibrations in crystals.

• Acousto-optics / Raman–Nath theory: He contributed to the theory of how light interacts with sound waves (diffraction by ultrasonic waves) — the Raman–Nath theory.

Throughout his career, Raman remained deeply experimental, often working with relatively modest apparatus (in his own words, he joked he had “spent hardly 200 rupees on my equipment” for some experiments) yet achieving world-class results.

Recognition, Awards & Honors

Raman received numerous awards and honors during his life:

• In 1930, he was awarded the Nobel Prize in Physics for his discovery of the Raman effect.

• He was knighted (Knight Bachelor) in 1929/1930.

• He received the Hughes Medal of the Royal Society in 1930.

• He was elected a Fellow of the Royal Society (FRS) in 1924, but later resigned in 1968 (the only Indian to do so).

• In India, he was awarded the Bharat Ratna (India’s highest civilian award) in 1954.

• He held many fellowships and honorary memberships in scientific societies around the world.

Beyond awards, his lasting recognition lies in the institutions he built and the students he mentored.

Personal Life & Character

Raman was married to Lokasundari Ammal in 1907. Chandrasekhar Raman and Venkatraman Radhakrishnan (the latter became a noted space and radio astronomer).

Raman was known for his strong personality — proud, confident, sometimes combative in debates. He insisted on scientific autonomy and resisted excessive bureaucratic control over research.

He held agnostic views (though not atheistic), and would often speak of the “Spirit of Man.”

Toward the end of his life, his health declined, but he remained intellectually active in his institute. On 21 November 1970, he passed away in Bangalore at age 82.

Memorable Quotes & Reflections

While Raman was not primarily known as a quote-maker, some attributed remarks and reflections reflect his spirit:

• On his modest experimental setups: “When I got my Nobel Prize, I had spent hardly 200 rupees on my equipment.” (often cited)

• In his final days, he is reported to have said: “Do not allow the journals of the Academy to die, for they are the sensitive indicators of the quality of science being done in the country…”

• On his deathbed, he is said to have expressed: “I believe only in the Spirit of Man,” wanting a simple cremation without ritual.

These remarks reflect his focus on substance over show, and his lifelong dedication to scientific culture.

Lessons from C. V. Raman’s Life

From his story, several broader lessons and inspirations emerge:

1. Great science can come from modest means
   Raman’s experiments were not lavish—but his curiosity, rigor, and insight made them world-class.

2. Intellectual independence matters
   He prioritized autonomy, resisted undue control, and insisted science follow its internal logic, not administrative diktats.

3. Institution building is central
   His founding of the Indian Academy of Sciences and the Raman Research Institute ensures that his influence continues beyond his life.

4. Mentorship and legacy
   Raman’s students (like K. S. Krishnan, G. N. Ramachandran) went on to make their own contributions, multiplying his impact.

5. National scientific dignity
   Raman’s success showed India could produce world-class science and not only import it. His stature inspired generations of Indian scientists.

Legacy & Continuing Impact

• The Raman effect is ubiquitous in modern physics, chemistry, materials science, and spectroscopy. Raman spectroscopy is a standard tool in labs worldwide.

• February 28 (the date of Raman’s key experiment) is celebrated in India as National Science Day.

• The Raman Research Institute, Indian Academy of Sciences, and other institutions he founded continue to be pillars of Indian scientific research.

• His life is often recounted in biographies, documentaries, and commemorations; he remains a symbol of scientific aspiration in India and beyond.

• Proposals occasionally emerge to name places or institutions in his honor (for example, calls to name Trichy airport after him).

Raman’s story bridges science and national identity: he showed that excellence in physics could emerge from colonial India and continue to flourish in independent India.

Conclusion

Sir C. V. Raman was more than a brilliant physicist—he was a builder of scientific institutions, a mentor, and a symbol of intellectual possibility for a young nation. His discovery of the Raman effect was transformative for light-matter interaction study, and his example continues to inspire scientists.