Suri Bhagavantam
Encyclopedia
Suri Bhagavantam B.Sc., M.Sc., D.Sc. (October 14, 1909 - February 6, 1989), famous Indian scientist and administrator. He was Vice chancellor of Osmania University
and Director of Indian Institute of Science
and Defence Research and Development Organization.
village in Andhra Pradesh
. After primary education in Gudivada
, he obtained Bachelor in Science degree in Physics
from Nizam College
, Hyderabad under Madras University. Impressed by the discoveries of C. V. Raman, he left to Calcutta and joined him in 1928. After the Nobel Prize-winning discovery, he chose Bhagavantam as his collaborator to further his research work. He did his Masters degree in Science from Madras University during this period.
When Raman joined the Indian Institute of Science as its Director in 1933, he recommended Bhagavantam to join Andhra University
, Waltair
as lecturer in Physics. During that period, he became a very popular lecturer and rose to become Professor and Head of the department in 1938 and Principal of University College in 1941. The university conferred on him the D.Sc. degree (Honoris causa). He wrote the well known book titled The Theory of Groups and its Physical Applications along with Venkata Rayudu. This book was published in three editions and was translated into Russian language
. It is often said that a whole generation of Spectoscopists are brought on this book. The other book he wrote here is entitled Scattering of Light and Raman Effect.
After Indian independence, he joined as Scientific adviser in the Indian High Commission in London under V. K. Krishna Menon between 1948-49. He traveled many European countries and delivered scientific lectures.
He returned to India in 1949 and joined Osmania University
as Head of Physics department. During his period there is a spurt in research activity and more than 12 Ph.D. students got their doctorates. He was chosen as Vice chancellor in 1952.
In 1957 he joined as Director of Indian Institute of Science
, Bangalore
and served in that position for 5 year period. He was appointed as the Scientific Adviser to Government of India
under the Ministry of Defence headed by Krishna Menon.
He joined as Director of Defence Research and Development Organization (DRDO) in 1962 after the Indo-Chinese War when Sri. Y B Chavan was the Defence Minister. During the nine-year tenure Dr. Bhagavantam was instrumental in setting up a chain of laboratories throughout India for the development of missiles, aircraft, aeroengines, combat vehicles like tanks, electronic warfare systems, high explosives and underwater weapons. He retired from the service in 1969.
His birth centenary celebrations are held at Osmania University in 2009.
Osmania University
Osmania University , , since 1918, is a public university located in Hyderabad, Andhra Pradesh, India. It was established and named after the last Nizam of Hyderabad, Mir Osman Ali Khan. It is one of the oldest modern universities in India. It is the first Indian University to have Urdu and...
and Director of Indian Institute of Science
Indian Institute of Science
Indian Institute of Science is a research institution of higher learning located in Bangalore, India. It was established in 1909.-History:After a chance meeting between Jamsetji N...
and Defence Research and Development Organization.
Brief lifesketch
He was born in AgiripalliAgiripalli
Agiripally or Aagiripalli is a village of 25,000 people in Krishna District, Andhra Pradesh, India. Lord Shobanadeeswara temple is in this village.-Facilities:...
village in Andhra Pradesh
Andhra Pradesh
Andhra Pradesh , is one of the 28 states of India, situated on the southeastern coast of India. It is India's fourth largest state by area and fifth largest by population. Its capital and largest city by population is Hyderabad.The total GDP of Andhra Pradesh is $100 billion and is ranked third...
. After primary education in Gudivada
Gudivada
Gudivada is a census town in Krishna district in the Indian state of Andhra Pradesh. It is a mandal headquarters with more than 100,000 inhabitants, lying as junction of Vijayawada-Machilipatnam-Bhimavaram-Nuzvid-Eluru in the Krishna district of Andhra Pradesh of...
, he obtained Bachelor in Science degree in Physics
Physics
Physics is a natural science that involves the study of matter and its motion through spacetime, along with related concepts such as energy and force. More broadly, it is the general analysis of nature, conducted in order to understand how the universe behaves.Physics is one of the oldest academic...
from Nizam College
Nizam College
Nizam College was established in 1887 during the reign of Nawab Mir Mahaboob Ali Khan, Asaf Jah VI, in Hyderabad, Andhra Pradesh. It is located at Basheerbagh.-History:...
, Hyderabad under Madras University. Impressed by the discoveries of C. V. Raman, he left to Calcutta and joined him in 1928. After the Nobel Prize-winning discovery, he chose Bhagavantam as his collaborator to further his research work. He did his Masters degree in Science from Madras University during this period.
When Raman joined the Indian Institute of Science as its Director in 1933, he recommended Bhagavantam to join Andhra University
Andhra University
Andhra University or Andhra Viswa Kala Parishad , located in Visakhapatnam, north east coastal Andhra Pradesh, is one of the older premier universities in India with a broad focus...
, Waltair
WaltAir
WaltAir is a Swedish taxi airline. Waltair was established in 1997 and has bases in Stockholm, Norrköping and Växjö.-Fleet:*Cessna 550 Citation II*Beechcraft King Air 300...
as lecturer in Physics. During that period, he became a very popular lecturer and rose to become Professor and Head of the department in 1938 and Principal of University College in 1941. The university conferred on him the D.Sc. degree (Honoris causa). He wrote the well known book titled The Theory of Groups and its Physical Applications along with Venkata Rayudu. This book was published in three editions and was translated into Russian language
Russian language
Russian is a Slavic language used primarily in Russia, Belarus, Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan, Tajikistan and Kyrgyzstan. It is an unofficial but widely spoken language in Ukraine, Moldova, Latvia, Turkmenistan and Estonia and, to a lesser extent, the other countries that were once constituent republics...
. It is often said that a whole generation of Spectoscopists are brought on this book. The other book he wrote here is entitled Scattering of Light and Raman Effect.
After Indian independence, he joined as Scientific adviser in the Indian High Commission in London under V. K. Krishna Menon between 1948-49. He traveled many European countries and delivered scientific lectures.
He returned to India in 1949 and joined Osmania University
Osmania University
Osmania University , , since 1918, is a public university located in Hyderabad, Andhra Pradesh, India. It was established and named after the last Nizam of Hyderabad, Mir Osman Ali Khan. It is one of the oldest modern universities in India. It is the first Indian University to have Urdu and...
as Head of Physics department. During his period there is a spurt in research activity and more than 12 Ph.D. students got their doctorates. He was chosen as Vice chancellor in 1952.
In 1957 he joined as Director of Indian Institute of Science
Indian Institute of Science
Indian Institute of Science is a research institution of higher learning located in Bangalore, India. It was established in 1909.-History:After a chance meeting between Jamsetji N...
, Bangalore
Bangalore
Bengaluru , formerly called Bengaluru is the capital of the Indian state of Karnataka. Bangalore is nicknamed the Garden City and was once called a pensioner's paradise. Located on the Deccan Plateau in the south-eastern part of Karnataka, Bangalore is India's third most populous city and...
and served in that position for 5 year period. He was appointed as the Scientific Adviser to Government of India
Government of India
The Government of India, officially known as the Union Government, and also known as the Central Government, was established by the Constitution of India, and is the governing authority of the union of 28 states and seven union territories, collectively called the Republic of India...
under the Ministry of Defence headed by Krishna Menon.
He joined as Director of Defence Research and Development Organization (DRDO) in 1962 after the Indo-Chinese War when Sri. Y B Chavan was the Defence Minister. During the nine-year tenure Dr. Bhagavantam was instrumental in setting up a chain of laboratories throughout India for the development of missiles, aircraft, aeroengines, combat vehicles like tanks, electronic warfare systems, high explosives and underwater weapons. He retired from the service in 1969.
His birth centenary celebrations are held at Osmania University in 2009.
Positions held
- Principle of University College, Andhra UniversityAndhra UniversityAndhra University or Andhra Viswa Kala Parishad , located in Visakhapatnam, north east coastal Andhra Pradesh, is one of the older premier universities in India with a broad focus...
. - Vice Chancellor, Osmania UniversityOsmania UniversityOsmania University , , since 1918, is a public university located in Hyderabad, Andhra Pradesh, India. It was established and named after the last Nizam of Hyderabad, Mir Osman Ali Khan. It is one of the oldest modern universities in India. It is the first Indian University to have Urdu and...
in 1952. - He was Director of Indian Institute of ScienceIndian Institute of ScienceIndian Institute of Science is a research institution of higher learning located in Bangalore, India. It was established in 1909.-History:After a chance meeting between Jamsetji N...
between 1957-62. - He was Director of Defence Research and Development Organization in 1962
- He was president of the Current Science Association between 1970-76.