K. R. Ramanathan
Encyclopedia
Kalpathi Ramakrishna Ramanathan (28 February 189331 December 1984) was an Indian physicist
and meteorologist. He was the first Director of Physical Research Laboratory
, Ahmedabad
. Ramanathan was awarded Padma Bhushan
in 1965 and Padma Vibhushan
in 1976.
, Palakkad
, to a Sanskrit
scholar, Ramanathan received a B.A. degree from the Government Victoria College
, Palakkad
and an M.A. degree in physics from the Presidency College, Madras
. He began his academic career as a demonstrator in physics at the Maharajah’s College of Science in Thiruvananthapuram
. He was later appointed as the Honorary Director of Observatory in Thiruvananthapuram.
In 1921, Ramanathan moved to Calcutta to collaborate with Sir C. V. Raman on the studies of X-ray diffraction
in the liquids. For this work he received D.Sc. degree from University of Madras
. This was the first time that a D.Sc. degree was awarded by University of Madras.
In 1922 Ramanathan joined Rangoon University
as Assistant Professor of physics. In 1925 he was appointed as a senior scientist in the India Meteorological Department
and remained there until his retirement in 1948. The same year he joined the Physical Research Laboratory (PRL), Ahmadabad as its first Director. He established Dobson ozone spectrophotometer
stations in India. He retired in 1966, but continued to serve PRL as Emeritus Professor until his death in 1984 at the age of 91.
The Kalpathi Ramakrishna Ramanathan Medal was established in 1987 in honor of him by the Indian National Science Academy
.
Physicist
A physicist is a scientist who studies or practices physics. Physicists study a wide range of physical phenomena in many branches of physics spanning all length scales: from sub-atomic particles of which all ordinary matter is made to the behavior of the material Universe as a whole...
and meteorologist. He was the first Director of Physical Research Laboratory
Physical Research Laboratory
The Physical Research Laboratory is a national Research Institute for space and allied sciences, supported mainly by Department of Space, Government of India. This research laboratory has ongoing research programmes in Astronomy and Astrophysics, Atmospheric Sciences and Aeronomy, Earth Sciences,...
, Ahmedabad
Ahmedabad
Ahmedabad also known as Karnavati is the largest city in Gujarat, India. It is the former capital of Gujarat and is also the judicial capital of Gujarat as the Gujarat High Court has its seat in Ahmedabad...
. Ramanathan was awarded Padma Bhushan
Padma Bhushan
The Padma Bhushan is the third highest civilian award in the Republic of India, after the Bharat Ratna and the Padma Vibhushan, but comes before the Padma Shri. It is awarded by the Government of India.-History:...
in 1965 and Padma Vibhushan
Padma Vibhushan
The Padma Vibhushan is the second highest civilian award in the Republic of India. It consists of a medal and a citation and is awarded by the President of India. It was established on 2 January 1954. It ranks behind the Bharat Ratna and comes before the Padma Bhushan...
in 1976.
Career
Born in KalpathiKalpathi
Kalpathi or Kalpathy also known as Dakshin Kasi or the Varanasi of the South is an early Tamil Brahmin settlement in the Palakkad District of Kerala state, south India...
, Palakkad
Palakkad
Palakkad , formerly known as Palghat, is a municipality and a town in the state of Kerala in southern India, spread over an area of 26.60 km2.The city is situated about north of state capital Thiruvananthapuram. It is the administrative headquarters of Palakkad District...
, to a Sanskrit
Sanskrit
Sanskrit , is a historical Indo-Aryan language and the primary liturgical language of Hinduism, Jainism and Buddhism.Buddhism: besides Pali, see Buddhist Hybrid Sanskrit Today, it is listed as one of the 22 scheduled languages of India and is an official language of the state of Uttarakhand...
scholar, Ramanathan received a B.A. degree from the Government Victoria College
Government Victoria College, Palakkad
Government Victoria College Palakkad is the oldest institution of higher learning in the Malabar region of Kerala. It is affiliated to the Calicut University and provides undergraduate and postgraduate education in Science, Arts and Commerce subjects....
, Palakkad
Palakkad
Palakkad , formerly known as Palghat, is a municipality and a town in the state of Kerala in southern India, spread over an area of 26.60 km2.The city is situated about north of state capital Thiruvananthapuram. It is the administrative headquarters of Palakkad District...
and an M.A. degree in physics from the Presidency College, Madras
Presidency College, Chennai
Presidency College is an arts, law and science college in the city of Chennai in Tamil Nadu, India. Established as the Madras Preparatory School on October 15, 1840 and later, upgraded to a high school and then, graduate college, the Presidency College is one of the oldest government arts colleges...
. He began his academic career as a demonstrator in physics at the Maharajah’s College of Science in Thiruvananthapuram
Thiruvananthapuram
Thiruvananthapuram , formerly known as Trivandrum, is the capital of the Indian state of Kerala and the headquarters of the Thiruvananthapuram District. It is located on the west coast of India near the extreme south of the mainland...
. He was later appointed as the Honorary Director of Observatory in Thiruvananthapuram.
In 1921, Ramanathan moved to Calcutta to collaborate with Sir C. V. Raman on the studies of X-ray diffraction
X-ray scattering techniques
X-ray scattering techniques are a family of non-destructive analytical techniques which reveal information about the crystallographic structure, chemical composition, and physical properties of materials and thin films...
in the liquids. For this work he received D.Sc. degree from 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...
. This was the first time that a D.Sc. degree was awarded by University of Madras.
In 1922 Ramanathan joined Rangoon University
University of Yangon
Yangon University , located in Kamayut, Yangon, is the oldest and most well-known university in Myanmar. The university offers mainly graduate degree programs in liberal arts, sciences and law...
as Assistant Professor of physics. In 1925 he was appointed as a senior scientist in the India Meteorological Department
India Meteorological Department
The India Meteorological Department , also referred to as the Met Office, is an agency of the Ministry of Earth Sciences of the Government of India. It is the principal agency responsible for meteorological observations, weather forecasting and seismology...
and remained there until his retirement in 1948. The same year he joined the Physical Research Laboratory (PRL), Ahmadabad as its first Director. He established Dobson ozone spectrophotometer
Dobson ozone spectrophotometer
The Dobson spectrophotometer, also known as Dobsonmeter or Dobson spectrometer, is the earliest instrument used to measure atmospheric ozone. It was invented in 1926 by Gordon Dobson. A history of the development of the instrument is here...
stations in India. He retired in 1966, but continued to serve PRL as Emeritus Professor until his death in 1984 at the age of 91.
Honors and awards
- Fellow, Indian Academy of SciencesIndian Academy of SciencesThe Indian Academy of Sciences, Bangalore was founded by Sir C. V. Raman, and was registered as a Society on 24 April 1934. Inaugurated on 31 July 1934, it began with 65 founding fellows. The first general meeting of Fellows, held on the same day, elected Professor Raman as President, and adopted...
, 1934 - Padma BhushanPadma BhushanThe Padma Bhushan is the third highest civilian award in the Republic of India, after the Bharat Ratna and the Padma Vibhushan, but comes before the Padma Shri. It is awarded by the Government of India.-History:...
, 1965 - Padma VibhushanPadma VibhushanThe Padma Vibhushan is the second highest civilian award in the Republic of India. It consists of a medal and a citation and is awarded by the President of India. It was established on 2 January 1954. It ranks behind the Bharat Ratna and comes before the Padma Bhushan...
, 1976 - The Aryabhata Medal, awarded by 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:...
, 1977
The Kalpathi Ramakrishna Ramanathan Medal was established in 1987 in honor of him by the Indian National Science Academy
Indian National Science Academy
The Indian National Science Academy , New Delhi is the apex body of Indian scientists representing all branches of science & technology.-History:...
.