Suri Bhagavantam

About Suri Bhagavantam

Suri Bhagavantam About this sound pronunciation (October 14, 1909 - February 6, 1989), was an Indian scientist and administrator. He was Vice chancellor of Osmania University and Director of Indian Institute of Science and Defence Research and Development Organization.

Early life

Bhagavantam was born in Agiripalli 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.