Let’s go back a century and meet a curious boy who one day lit up the world of science. His name was Chandrasekhar Venkata Raman, or C. V. Raman for short. He made a discovery that gave a new identity to light rays!

The first aspect: a bright childhood

This bright star, C. V. Raman, was born on November 7, 1888, in the city of Tiruchirappalli, Tamil Nadu. He was different from other boys and girls in many ways. While other children played with toys, Raman would read books and ask questions—numerous questions!

His father was a physics teacher. As a result, Raman grew up discussing science from a young age. He finished school at the age of 11 and graduated with a degree in physics from Presidency College, Madras (Present name Chennai) at the age of 16. It is amazing to think how talented this man was!

Government job, but science didn’t leave him behind

Incredibly, Raman did not initially join any scientific job. Instead, he started working as an accountant in the Indian Finance Service. But no matter what, his real love was for science. So, after finishing his work for the day, he would go to the Indian Association for Cultivation of Science (IACS) in Kolkata every evening. There, he would conduct research completely selflessly, without any salary. Such was his love for science.

His love for light

Raman was particularly interested in light. He wondered, “Why is the sky blue?” And it was on this subject that he later made his great discovery. In 1921, while returning from Europe on a ship, he noticed the deep blue color of the Mediterranean Sea. It was then that a new question about light arose in his mind.

Raman Effect: The New Story of Light

In 1928, Raman made a groundbreaking discovery. He showed that when light passes through a transparent material, a portion of it is scattered and changes color. This was a completely new phenomenon. He proved that when a light beam collides with a particle, its wavelength and energy change. This discovery later became known as the Raman effect. This gave rise to a new branch of science called Raman spectroscopy.

Nobel Prize: A proud moment

He was the first Asian and the first non-white person to win the Nobel Prize in Physics in 1930. And the interesting thing is that he did not wear a Western suit at the Nobel ceremony. 

Instead, he wore Indian clothes, a white dhoti and a turban. He was a man who was very proud of his roots.

Next work and organization formation

He left government service to become the director of the Indian Institute of Science (IISC) in Bangalore. He then founded the Raman Research Institute in 1948. He researched many other subjects besides light. Such as crystals, sound, and the structure of diamonds. He used to inspire the youth by saying, “Ask questions. Don’t blindly believe everything.” He believed that Indian scientists should find their own way and not just follow the West.

Musical talent

Raman was not only a scientist, he was also a music lover. He studied Indian musical instruments such as the mridangam, tabla, and violin. He was curious about how they produce sound.

Honor and legacy

He was not only the Nobel Prize winner but also received many other honours, such as India’s highest civilian award, the Bharat Ratna (1954). He was also a Fellow of the Royal Society of London.

He passed away on November 21, 1970, at the age of 82. But he left behind an extraordinary example of a scientific life. His birthday, November 7, is celebrated as National Science Day in India.

Currently, the Raman effect, which he discovered, plays an important role in the scientific field.

Why Raman is still relevant

Raman’s life in this modern world teaches us to strengthen our enthusiasm, patience, and curiosity. The point of learning is that even in a time when there were no modern labs or huge funding, how to move forward with a deep interest and love for science. Science is not just for big labs or foreign journals. Science is for those people who love to ask questions.

Brief information: C. V. Raman

• Born: November 7, 1888
  
• Place of birth: Tiruchirappalli, Tamil Nadu
  
• Key discovery: Raman effect (1928)
  
• Nobel Prize: Physics, 1930
  
• Famous quote: “Ask the right questions, and nature will reveal its secrets.”
  
• Death: November 21, 1970
  

C. V. Raman was not just a scientist. He was a dreamer, a teacher, and an inspiration. His life teaches us—if you are curious, God will guide you.

The next time you see colors in light or hear sounds in a musical instrument, remember—a man once discovered the deep secrets of light and sound.