A. L. Narayan
Encyclopedia
Appadvedula Lakshmi Narayan, better known as A. L. Narayan B.A.
, M.A.
, D.Sc., F.I.P. (b: 1887 - d: 7 March 1973) was an Indian Astrophysicist and was the first Indian Director of Kodaikanal Solar Observatory
during between 1937–1946. He was born in 1887 to Shri Appadvedula Vyasulu and Smt. Mahalakshmi in the Mukkamala
village of East Godavari District of Andhra Pradesh
. He studied up to Matriculation
in the higher secondary school at Kothapeta. He developed keen interest in the study of Science
and continued his studies in the Government Arts College, Rajahmundry
. He passed the B.A. degree and did Postgraduation (M.A.) in Physics
from the University of Madras
in 1914. He has joined as Lecturer in Physics in Maharajah's College
of Vizianagaram.
He has joined as Assistant Director at the Solar Physics Observatory, Kodaikanal
, in 1929. He started more extensive and intensive work with a view to make the institution a center of spectroscopic research. The observatory was famous for observations on solar and stellar physics through the work of the great Astronomer John Evershed
, who was its Director for many years. In recognition of his contributions, he was promoted as Director of the
Observatory. He was the first Indian to occupy the post.
During his regime, the library was enlarged by the acquisition of a large number of books and periodicals on astronomy, mathematics, physics, geophysics, statistics and allied sciences. He also expanded the workshop and spent considerable time in improving its working.
During the Second World War, some of the senior staff members of were shifted for meteorological work in connection with the war. But Narayan could not rest, and carried on his research work with the meagre staff remaining with him.
After the War, the Government of India
appointed a Committee for the post-war development of astronomy and astrophysics in the country, with particular reference to the expansion of the activities of the Kodaikanal Observatory under the Chairmanship of Professor M. N. Saha. Dr Narayan was an active member of the Committee and was instrumental in launching the expansion of the Observatory. He retired from the post of Director in 1947 at the age of 60 years.
The Rajah Saheb of Vizianagaram offered him the post of the Principal of Maharajah's College
, Vizianagaram
in 1948. His administration was marked by progressive thinking, punctuality and discipline. He made the College a model for the Andhra University area. As ex-officio member of the Senate of the Andhra University and was elected to the Syndicate. He made distinctive contribution to the advancement of scientific learning in the University. He has retired as Principal of Maharajahs College in 1956 after a distinguished service for about eight years. He was responsible for starting two additional colleges, one for Teachers' Training and the other for Girls.
He was appointed as Vice Chancellor of Andhra University
, Visakhapatnam
in 1961, to follow Dr. V. S. Krishna. He was a strict disciplinarian, and did not hesitate to enforce discipline at any cost keeping aside the selfish interests. He proved to be a worthy successor to his eminent predecessors C. R. Reddy and S. Radhakrishnan, who made the Andhra University as one of the best Universities in India. He encouraged talented young men to take up doctoral and post-doctoral researches in their respective branches under the guidance of eminent professors. He was instrumental in establishing a many research scholarships and grants procured from the University Grants Commission
, the Council of Scientific and Industrial Research and other Indian institutions. He has consolidated the functioning of the University in the academic and administrative aspects. He finally retired as Vice-Chancellor in 1966, after serving the University for five years.
He died on March 7, 1973 at Madras. He is survived by his wife, two sons and four daughters.
Bachelor of Arts
A Bachelor of Arts , from the Latin artium baccalaureus, is a bachelor's degree awarded for an undergraduate course or program in either the liberal arts, the sciences, or both...
, M.A.
Master of Arts (postgraduate)
A Master of Arts from the Latin Magister Artium, is a type of Master's degree awarded by universities in many countries. The M.A. is usually contrasted with the M.S. or M.Sc. degrees...
, D.Sc., F.I.P. (b: 1887 - d: 7 March 1973) was an Indian Astrophysicist and was the first Indian Director of Kodaikanal Solar Observatory
Kodaikanal Solar Observatory
The Kodaikanal Solar Observatory is an solar observatory owned and operated by Indian Institute of Astrophysics. It is located on the southern tip of the Palni Hills 4 km from Kodaikanal town, Dindigul district, Tamilnadu state, South India....
during between 1937–1946. He was born in 1887 to Shri Appadvedula Vyasulu and Smt. Mahalakshmi in the Mukkamala
Mukkamala, East Godavari
Mukkamala is a village in Ambajipeta mandal of East Godavari district, Andhra Pradesh, India.Eminent Astrophysicist Appadvedula Lakshmi Narayan, better known as A. L...
village of East Godavari District of 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...
. He studied up to Matriculation
Matriculation
Matriculation, in the broadest sense, means to be registered or added to a list, from the Latin matricula – little list. In Scottish heraldry, for instance, a matriculation is a registration of armorial bearings...
in the higher secondary school at Kothapeta. He developed keen interest in the study of Science
Science
Science is a systematic enterprise that builds and organizes knowledge in the form of testable explanations and predictions about the universe...
and continued his studies in the Government Arts College, Rajahmundry
Rajahmundry
Rajahmundry is a city and municipal corporation of the Andhra Pradesh state in India. It is located east of the state capital, Hyderabad, on the banks of the River Godavari. Known as the Cultural Capital, Rajahmundry is noted for its intense Veda culture and intellect...
. He passed the B.A. degree and did Postgraduation (M.A.) 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 the University of Madras
University of Madras
The University of Madras is a public research university in Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India. It is one of the three oldest universities in India...
in 1914. He has joined as Lecturer in Physics in Maharajah's College
Maharajah's College
Maharajah's College shortly M. R. College is one of the oldest Colleges in India. It was established in 1879 by Sri Poosapati Vijayarama Gajapathi, Maharajah of Vizianagram. National Accreditation and Assessment Council assessed and accredited the Institution with "B" grade.There are 21...
of Vizianagaram.
Career
At that time, Physics was taught only up to the Intermediate level. He has obtained affiliation for the degree course B.A. in Physics of the University of Madras in 1918. He trained the first batch of four students for the degree examination of 1920. Dr. K. Rangadhama Rao, who later became a pioneer in India in Spectroscopic research was in his first batch.He has joined as Assistant Director at the Solar Physics Observatory, Kodaikanal
Kodaikanal
-Climate:Kodaikanal has a monsoon-influenced subtropical highland climate . The temperatures are cool throughout the year due to the high elevation of the city.-Economy:...
, in 1929. He started more extensive and intensive work with a view to make the institution a center of spectroscopic research. The observatory was famous for observations on solar and stellar physics through the work of the great Astronomer John Evershed
John Evershed
John Evershed was an English astronomer. He was the first to observe radial motions in sunspots, a phenomenon known as the Evershed effect....
, who was its Director for many years. In recognition of his contributions, he was promoted as Director of the
Observatory. He was the first Indian to occupy the post.
During his regime, the library was enlarged by the acquisition of a large number of books and periodicals on astronomy, mathematics, physics, geophysics, statistics and allied sciences. He also expanded the workshop and spent considerable time in improving its working.
During the Second World War, some of the senior staff members of were shifted for meteorological work in connection with the war. But Narayan could not rest, and carried on his research work with the meagre staff remaining with him.
After the War, the 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...
appointed a Committee for the post-war development of astronomy and astrophysics in the country, with particular reference to the expansion of the activities of the Kodaikanal Observatory under the Chairmanship of Professor M. N. Saha. Dr Narayan was an active member of the Committee and was instrumental in launching the expansion of the Observatory. He retired from the post of Director in 1947 at the age of 60 years.
The Rajah Saheb of Vizianagaram offered him the post of the Principal of Maharajah's College
Maharajah's College
Maharajah's College shortly M. R. College is one of the oldest Colleges in India. It was established in 1879 by Sri Poosapati Vijayarama Gajapathi, Maharajah of Vizianagram. National Accreditation and Assessment Council assessed and accredited the Institution with "B" grade.There are 21...
, Vizianagaram
Vizianagaram
Vizianagaram is the main city of the Vizianagaram District of north-eastern Andhra Pradesh in southern India. Vizianagaram district was formed on 1 June 1979, with some parts carved from the neighbouring districts of Srikakulam and Visakhapatnam. It is, at present, the largest municipality of...
in 1948. His administration was marked by progressive thinking, punctuality and discipline. He made the College a model for the Andhra University area. As ex-officio member of the Senate of the Andhra University and was elected to the Syndicate. He made distinctive contribution to the advancement of scientific learning in the University. He has retired as Principal of Maharajahs College in 1956 after a distinguished service for about eight years. He was responsible for starting two additional colleges, one for Teachers' Training and the other for Girls.
He was appointed as Vice Chancellor of 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...
, Visakhapatnam
Visakhapatnam
Visakhapatnam is a major sea port on the south east coast of India. With a population of approximately 1.7 million, it is the second largest city in the state of Andhra Pradesh and the third largest city on the east coast of India after Kolkata and Chennai. According to the history, the city was...
in 1961, to follow Dr. V. S. Krishna. He was a strict disciplinarian, and did not hesitate to enforce discipline at any cost keeping aside the selfish interests. He proved to be a worthy successor to his eminent predecessors C. R. Reddy and S. Radhakrishnan, who made the Andhra University as one of the best Universities in India. He encouraged talented young men to take up doctoral and post-doctoral researches in their respective branches under the guidance of eminent professors. He was instrumental in establishing a many research scholarships and grants procured from the University Grants Commission
University Grants Commission
University Grants Commission may refer to:* University Grants Commission * University Grants Commission * University Grants Commission * University Grants Commission...
, the Council of Scientific and Industrial Research and other Indian institutions. He has consolidated the functioning of the University in the academic and administrative aspects. He finally retired as Vice-Chancellor in 1966, after serving the University for five years.
He died on March 7, 1973 at Madras. He is survived by his wife, two sons and four daughters.
Honours
- He was Fellow of the Institute of Physics, London.
- He was Fellow of the National Institute of Sciences, India (presently, Indian National Science AcademyIndian National Science AcademyThe Indian National Science Academy , New Delhi is the apex body of Indian scientists representing all branches of science & technology.-History:...
). - He was President of the Physics Section of the Indian Science Congress held at Benares.
- He was member of the Andhra Pradesh Planning Commission.
- He was the recipient of the "Maharaja of Travancore Curzon Memorial Prize" in recognition of his research work in Science.