Vol. 2014, Issue No.7, Dated: 09 July 2014: Time: 06h 3m A.M.
Ninth of the Series of Articles on
Prof. K. R. Rao
D.Sc. (Madras) D.Sc. (London)
[Born early morning hours 9 September
1899 to morning at 8h58m 20 June 1972]
{A Researcher of the Universe}
He was a singular personality who nurtured the entire
Electromagnetic Spectrum from one end to the other and gave a fill up to
several people.
ABSTRACT
It
is no where mentioned in the history of Physics that such a wide and extensive
investigation of different nature could be so successfully completed by the
dynamism and foresight of a single individual. It is equally extraordinary that
a single individual could enthuse score of research scholars and students to
become motivated scientists par excellence. This is a life devoted for the just
cause of achievement in India by youngsters and bright students over a period
of his life time.
The
simplicity of the person magnanimous, the enormous patience and the excellent
commitment for research, without caring for name or fame, and above all his not
accepting his name on publications by his disciples, are considered to be
unique characteristics of Prof. K. R. Rao.
Professor
Kotcherlakota Rangadhama Rao
D.Sc. (Madras) D. Sc. (London)
Professor
K. Rangadhama Rao was born, in the morning time before Sun rise, on September
09, 1899. He hailed from a middle class
family in Berhampur, Odisha State, at his father’s (K. V. Narasinga Rao) residence.
The residence was a combined joint family including cousins. Prof. K. R. Rao’s
early school education was in Visakhapatnam and Vijayanagaram since his father
was a postmaster frequently transferred.
He
did S.S.L.C and Intermediate courses in Mrs. A. V. N. High School and the
College, Visakhapatnam respectively. By that time, his father retired as a
postmaster and the income from ILP press (both at Visakhapatnam and Berhampur)
was meager and was just sufficient for the maintenance of big joint family. At
B.A level he helped his brother as well to complete the Physics Course in
Visakhapatnam College.
Later
he joined first as a demonstrator in Srikakulam College 1919 and next he joined
the Vijayanagaram Maharaja College in 1920 and saved money to pursue M. A.
studies in Thiruchinapally. As the family of his father and mother (Mrs.
Ramayamma) became dependent on him he had no go but took them to
Thiruchinapally along with him to pursue his M.A, Degree. Since his father was
smoking Indian Cigar (Chutta) they faced difficulty to get a rented house in
Brahmin Locality of the orthodox Tamil Brahmin residences. With a great
difficulty he secured a house on the Cauvery River side and his mother (uneducated
but reciting Sanskrit verses [Slokas] in the early mornings in a musical
blessed tone) became totally enthralled and for hours together she was bathing
in the river considering it as a boon of the sacred Cauvery River. Eventually
she died of pneumonia.
With
firm conviction and determination he pursued his M. A. Course in Physics in the
St Joseph’s (Christian) College, Trichinopoly, Teppakulam P.O dt.29 July 1923 and
many a certificates he obtained reveal his genius. He also got a certificate
from the Principal Rev. F. Bertram S. J., on 19 May 1923. There he mastered the
art of Spectroscopy and other Physics Experiments. His interest in Spectroscopy and Optical Spectra recordings can be
traced back to his School and the collegiate days in Visakhapatnam. He has set
up many physics experiments in the laboratory at the college as per the
syllabus and gained expertise.
He saved money in his stay and effort of
training youngsters at School in Physics Education at Trichinopoly
during 1921 to 1923.
He joined M.R. College Vijayanagaram and
took unstinted interest in research work in Spectroscopy. The Principal has set
the condition of completion of his Doctorate degree first before Prof. K. R.
Rao may complete his D. Sc. Thesis.
Madras far away and with no other means he succumbed to the pressure
tactics of a Principal his guide. He took D. Sc. (Madras) degree the next year.
He discussed with Prof. M. N. Saha F. R.
S at Allahabad, through his visits and secured his testimonial to go abroad to
London and to d at Imperial College, with Prof. A. Fowler in 1928. He did
independent research at the Laboratories of Fowler F. R. S and carried out very
significant advanced research on Atomic Spectra for two years. He moved over to
Berlin to work at the Physicalische Technische Reichsanstalt with Prof. F.
Paschen, Nobel Laureat for six months. He spent later three months in Uppsala
with Prof. Manne Siegbahn’s family and helped many a students there in Atomic
Spectra observations and developed a “special vacuum tube” designed by him and
got it built from a German Technician, in Potsdam Germany, which he received
only after his return to India. He purchased the instrument from his pocket
money and got it imported to Visakhapatnam at Andhra University in 1932.
He was the first appointee as a lecturer
in Andhra University, Waltair in 1932 and took interest to have the JVD College
of Science and Technology building built, by the donation money of the
Maharaja, with his relative as a contractor. He constructed first the D. C.
power supply for his research work. After nine months the second appointment has
been made. He became a reader in 1934 with a setback of foul play by a cunning
expert member
who manipulated devoid him of Headship of the Department. He could become a
Professor and Head of Physics Department only in 1941. He became Principal of
University in 1949. He helped Prof B H Ragava Rao in Chemistry Department to
record spectra of Rare Earth Elements.
He taught M.Sc. classes and guided
more than 70 students for D.Sc/Ph.D degree of Andhra University in different
branches of Spectroscopy and covered the entire breath of the Electromagnetic
Spectrum from Radio waves to Cosmic Rays. Most of the students obtained their
D.Sc/M.Sc/Ph.D degrees of Andhra University by research.
He was an uncanny and gifted
magnanimous administrator increased the number of Departments from 19 to 47 by
the time he retired as a Principal in 1958. He developed Mathematical Physics,
Applied Physics, Geophysics, Meteorology, Oceanography and Nuclear Physics etc.
branches of Physics and his effort to initiate the Bio-Physics was stalled in
1958.
He
was also the establisher of a separate Engineering College in 1956 in the
university. His contributions in a number of policies in the administration are
well accepted by the university. He was a powerful senator and he was the Principal
for all Departments and Colleges of the University comprising of Science,
Technology, Arts, Commerce, Law and Engineering.
His
research career was from June 1919 to 20 Jun or to 1972. His allotting a
specific sub-field to one or two research students with a view to develop each
sub-branch continuously and simultaneously forever was his unique
characteristic feature which was well respected. Another striking of Prof K R Rao is that he never allowed his name
anywhere among the authors of any publication which have gone out of his
laboratory and under his research guidance. As such all publications which have gone out
of his laboratory under his guidance do not contain his name as one of the
authors! This feature is considered to be very remarkable in the sense that the
student is given all encouragement for further investigations. This is
undoubtedly an unequivocal sacrifice on the part of Prof. K. R. Rao.
Starting
from simple atoms passing on to ionized atoms, using different experimental
techniques for various types of excitations and using different spectrographs,
glass, quartz and Vacuum U.V. Spectrographs to range the spectral
investigations from photographic (10,000 Å
) infrared up to the vacuum U.V. (300Å) he opened a branch
on atom, ionic and high resolution vacuum spectroscopy of his design.
While these investigations were going
on, simultaneously he developed diatomic molecular spectroscopy laboratory,
first aiming at a high resolution vibration structural investigations in
diatomic molecules. Simultaneously he concentrated on polyatomic molecular
spectroscopy dealing with U V absorption, Infra-Red absorption (See his D.Sc.
Thesis of Madras University 1923-1927), Scattering, Fluorescence and Phosphorescence
Crystal Spectra. While the two fields so developed were left to senior member, Prof. K. R. Rao switched on to three
new fields in spectroscopy namely NQR, NMR and ESR spectroscopy.
Another
field which he developed simultaneously was Dielectrics. Starting from scrap he
reached the level of construction of Microwave test benches and using these
techniques he opened different lines of investigations in Dielectrics.
Prof.
K. R. Rao simultaneously encouraged theoretical investigations in all the
branches with a strong convection that both the experimental and theoretical
work should go together for a more comprehensive and total understanding of the
research endeavor.
He
entered into developing the Radio Frequency Spectroscopy with the afore said
three branches namely, NQR, NMR and ESR with the full acquisition of construction of
electronic accessories and design of different total systems and the cells
requisite, which formed the components of the concerned spectrographs.
It is
no where mentioned in the history of Physics that such a wide and extensive investigation
of different nature could be so successfully completed by the dynamism and
foresight of a single individual. It is equally extraordinary that a single
individual could enthuse score of research scholars and students to become
motivated scientists par excellence. This is a life devoted for the just cause
of achievement in India by youngsters and bright students over a period of his
life time.
The
simplicity of the person magnanimous, the enormous patience and the excellent
commitment for research, without caring for name or fame, and above all his not
accepting his name on publications by his disciples, are considered to be
unique characteristics of Prof. K. R. Rao.
He evinced interest in spectral
investigations molecules by preparing them synthetically. His readiness for
construction the various components required for experimental investigations was
many a time surprising to his students. Not only surprising, but they gave a
very good incentive for the young researchers leading to self-reliance.
His
teaching is highly analytical and leaves an ever lasting impression on the
minds of students. He continued, with
extraordinary Zeal subjects, giving periodical research seminars on a wide
variety of topics and research, mentioned above in detail, to his research
group, till the last day of his demise.
These
are considered to be exemplar in promoting various capabilities in the students
to stand on their own legs. His excellence in both synthesis and analysis
throughout his scientific research and University administration are
unparalleled.
Prof.
K. R. Rao was a man few words and was soft-spoken. He was a Gandhian in his
style and practice. He was very unassuming and was never seen to exhibit the
craving for name and fame. He had a strong opinion that if any student failed
to get the research degree the responsibility had to be borne the Director
mostly. He also used to express that any research worker should get on to the
dais only when he does the work himself or herself. He always liked systematic
investigations rather than ad-hoc or sporadic type of work.
He
was very kind to people in need and helped them tide over financial
difficulties which was not known to many outsiders. He had a very good taste
for Classical Carnatic music. He was
mostly seen in the University in full suit (with tie) in Khadi.
Many foreigners associated with him in London and others made visits to his World Famous Laboratories at Andhra University, Waltair.
His
devotion to the work, his sincerity and systematic approach and hard
intelligent work, unassuming nature, simplicity, and soft-dialogues are some of
the significant characteristic features which every scientist has to emulate.
We
remember him with utmost respect, affection, appreciation and admiration.
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