🧬 C. V. Raman – Biography, Age, Height, Family, Education, Inventions, Achievements, and Legacy

🧭 Introduction

Sir Chandrasekhara Venkata Raman, popularly known as C. V. Raman, was one of India’s greatest physicists and scientists, best known for discovering the Raman Effect — a phenomenon that revolutionized the study of light.

He became the first Indian and first Asian Nobel Laureate in Science when he won the Nobel Prize in Physics in 1930.

C. V. Raman’s life was a blend of curiosity, discipline, and passion for science, inspiring generations of Indian scientists and learners around the world.

📊 C. V. Raman – Quick Facts

Full Name	Sir Chandrasekhara Venkata Raman
Popular Name	C. V. Raman
Date of Birth	7 November 1888
Place of Birth	Tiruchirapalli (Trichy), Tamil Nadu, India
Date of Death	21 November 1970
Age (at death)	82 years
Height	Around 5 feet 5 inches (165 cm)
Weight	Approximately 70 kg
Nationality	Indian
Religion	Hinduism
Profession	Physicist, Professor, Scientist
Father’s Name	R. Chandrasekhara Iyer (Professor of Physics and Mathematics)
Mother’s Name	Parvathi Ammal
Siblings	One younger brother, C. S. Ayyar (also a physicist)
Marital Status	Married
Wife’s Name	Lokasundari Ammal
Children	Two sons – Chandrasekhar and Radhakrishnan (Radhakrishnan was also a physicist)
Education	B.A. & M.A. in Physics from Presidency College, University of Madras
Known For	Discovery of the Raman Effect
Nobel Prize	1930 – Physics
Awards	Bharat Ratna, Lenin Peace Prize, Franklin Medal
Death Place	Bangalore (now Bengaluru), Karnataka, India

👶 Early Life and Education

C. V. Raman was born on 7 November 1888 in Tiruchirapalli, Tamil Nadu, into a Tamil Brahmin family deeply interested in education.
His father, R. Chandrasekhara Iyer, was a professor of mathematics and physics — which influenced young Raman’s interest in science from an early age.

Raman was exceptionally bright and completed his schooling at the age of 11.
He joined Presidency College, Madras, where he earned his B.A. (1904) and M.A. (1907) in Physics — both with top honors.

During his college years, he began conducting optical experiments using basic instruments, showing early signs of his future discoveries.

🎓 Career and Scientific Journey

Raman began his career as an officer in the Indian Finance Department in Calcutta, but his heart was always in research.
He spent his evenings working at the Indian Association for the Cultivation of Science (IACS), where he performed pioneering experiments on the scattering of light.

In 1917, he was appointed Professor of Physics at Calcutta University, where he built one of India’s first world-class physics laboratories.

It was here that his most famous work — the Raman Effect — took shape.

💡 The Discovery of the Raman Effect

On 28 February 1928, C. V. Raman and his student K. S. Krishnan discovered that when light passes through a transparent substance, a small portion of the light changes its wavelength and direction.

This phenomenon was named the Raman Effect, and it proved that light interacts with the molecules of a medium, changing its energy — a major breakthrough in modern physics.

This discovery earned him the Nobel Prize in Physics in 1930, making him:

The first Indian to receive a Nobel Prize in Science
The first Asian to win a Nobel in any branch of science

🏛️ Positions and Institutions

Professor of Physics, Calcutta University (1917–1933)
Director, Indian Institute of Science (IISc), Bangalore (1933–1948)
Founder, Raman Research Institute (1948) in Bangalore

At IISc and the Raman Research Institute, he trained a generation of Indian scientists and promoted independent research in India.

🧪 Major Contributions to Science

Raman Effect (1928) – Discovery of inelastic scattering of light.
Raman Spectroscopy – Developed a new technique to analyze molecular structures.
Study of Sound and Vibrations – Researched musical instruments and acoustic properties.
Optics of Crystals – Worked on light scattering, diffraction, and polarization.
Color and Optics of Minerals – Explained color in diamonds, pearls, and sea shells scientifically.

🏆 Awards and Honors

Award / Honor	Year
Nobel Prize in Physics	1930
Fellow of the Royal Society (FRS)	1924
Knight Bachelor (British Government)	1929
Bharat Ratna (India’s Highest Civilian Award)	1954
Franklin Medal (USA)	1941
Lenin Peace Prize	1957
Founder – Raman Research Institute	1948

💬 Famous Quotes by C. V. Raman

“Ask the right questions, and nature will open the doors to her secrets.”
“The essence of science is independent thinking, hard work, and not equipment.”
“I am the master of my failure; if I never fail, how will I ever learn?”
“Success can come to you by courageous devotion to the task lying in front of you.”

👨‍👩‍👦 Personal Life

C. V. Raman married Lokasundari Ammal in 1907, and the couple had two sons, Chandrasekhar and Radhakrishnan.
Raman was known for his discipline, simplicity, and humility.
He led a very modest lifestyle, often spending long hours in his laboratory, lost in research.

He also loved music and nature, often experimenting with musical instruments to study sound vibrations.

🧬 Death

C. V. Raman passed away peacefully on 21 November 1970 at the age of 82 in Bangalore.
Even in his final days, he continued scientific discussions with his students.
His ashes were buried in the garden of the Raman Research Institute, where he had spent his later years.

To honor his discovery, 28 February is celebrated as National Science Day in India every year.

🪶 Legacy

The Raman Effect remains a cornerstone of modern physics and chemistry.
Raman Spectroscopy is widely used in molecular biology, medicine, and material science.
Raman Research Institute continues his mission of scientific excellence.
National Science Day (28 February) is observed across India to promote scientific spirit.
His work inspired generations of Indian scientists like Homi Bhabha, Vikram Sarabhai, and A. P. J. Abdul Kalam.

🏛️ Monuments and Memorials

Raman Research Institute, Bengaluru
C. V. Raman Nagar, a major locality in Bengaluru named in his honor
C. V. Raman University, Chhattisgarh
C. V. Raman Avenue and statues in several Indian universities

🧠 Interesting Facts

He performed his first scientific research at the age of 15.
He used a simple sunlight and spectrograph setup to make world-class discoveries.
Refused to use expensive imported equipment — built his own instruments instead.
Donated most of his Nobel Prize money to research.
Wore traditional Indian attire (dhoti and turban) even in international conferences.

🕊️ Conclusion

C. V. Raman was more than just a physicist — he was a symbol of India’s scientific awakening.
His discovery of the Raman Effect not only earned him global fame but also laid the foundation for India’s progress in science and technology.

He taught that curiosity, dedication, and belief in one’s own intellect are the true tools of discovery.
Even today, his life continues to inspire millions of young minds to explore, question, and innovate.

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