Scientist-Genius with a poetic flow
Scientists are the pioneers of human progress, pushing the boundaries of knowledge and shaping people’s understanding of the world. Among those who made profound contributions, reflecting their curiosity, passion, and dedication to science was the legendary Dr V S Venkatavaradhan, who had an uncanny knack of making complex scientific subjects easy for even commoners to grasp, mesmerising them with his consummate communication skills.
With an ability to blend science and aesthetics, he strode like a colossus in the enchanting space of planetary science. A scientist by training, a science communicator by passion, and poet at heart, he was acknowledged as the Carl Sagan of India. He was an ardent votary of science who popularised visual astronomy by scripting and producing nineteen major sky-shows at the Nehru Planetarium, Mumbai, where he served as the director from 1979 to 1997. He wrote newspaper articles and appeared in programmes of Doordarshan and All India Radio popularising science subjects.
Dr. Venkatavaradhan born in Salem, Tamil Nadu, completed M.Sc. in Physics from the Madras University and joined the Atomic Energy Training School in 1961. He later joined the Tata Institute of Fundamental Research (TIFR) in Bombay in 1962 and obtained his Ph.D. in 1970 under Prof. Devendra Lal from the University of Bombay.
He had a sterling scientific career, conducting research in geophysics, cosmic rays, meteorites, lunar physics, and planetary physics. Among his many prominent works, he collaborated with NASA as a co-investigator in studying lunar rock samples from the Apollo missions and solar and galactic cosmic ray experiments in the Skylab missions.
During his stint at the Nehru Planetarium, Dr. Venkatavaradhan instilled a culture of recognising young talent by establishing the ‘Student’s Science Programme’ through which many a budding scientist got an opportunity to contribute to the Planetarium’s scientific and creative outputs. He was instrumental in instilling scientific temper in young minds which speaks volumes of his temperament and vision. Little wonder, his students left a global imprint in their chosen disciplines. His ability to explain complex concepts of physics and astronomy in simple and easy terms to the lay public was legendary.
Dr VSV, as he was often popularly called, continued his academic pursuits as Professor Emeritus at the Sona College of Engineering, Salem. He was also the acting director of the Discovery of India, Nehru Centre from April 1983 to November 1984. As an orator and author, he delivered numerous lectures, radio talks, television programs, and wrote articles and books on various aspects of science. He had this unique ability to communicate science in the medium of poetry. Over the years he penned poems encompassing a range of themes. Long before workplace wellbeing became fashionable in the post Covid-19 era, he propounded the idea of the three-day week in the late 80’s- an idea that was well ahead of its time.
Dr. Venkatavaradhan was a member of several national and international scientific organisations. Among the many recognitions he received, he was conferred the Indira Gandhi award for popularising science from the Indian National Science Academy (INSA).
Dr Venkatavaradhan was a man among millions. He has to his name more than fifty research papers in Geophysics, Space Science and Astrophysics and more than a thousand popular articles on various aspects of science in leading newspapers and magazines. He loved children. Inner happiness flowed from this people’s scientist in the presence of kids
A friend, philosopher, guide and mentor to many, he passed away on 26 October 2023 at 85. He is survived by his wife Shakunthala, daughter Aruna and son-in-law Sudhir and son Sunder and daughter-in-law Sonali and grandsons Badri and Varun. He will be remembered as a visionary scientist, a charismatic educator and more importantly, the noblest of humans, who inspired generations of students and enthusiasts with his love for science and poetry.
Raju Korti is a senior journalist with over four-decade experience of working in media institutions.