Internationally known scientist Alladi Ramakrishnan (1923-2008) recounts chronologically the many extraordinary events that influenced his life and shaped his career. His emphasis is on the phenomenal legal career of his father Sir Alladi Krishnaswami Iyer and his role in drafting the Constitution of India; his own efforts to introduce modern physics into Madras by conducting a theoretical physics seminar at his house; his visits to about 200 academic centers of research worldwide to lecture on his research in theoretical physics; and his fundamental work in stochastic processes, elementary particle physics, matrix theory, and Einstein's special theory of relativity. Annotation ©2019 Ringgold, Inc., Portland, OR (protoview.com)
This is a kaleidoscopic account of the remarkable life story of Alladi Ramakrishnan (19232008), an internationally reputed physicist, and the son of Sir Alladi Krishnaswami Iyer (18831953), one of India's most eminent jurists. Part I of the autobiography gives a fascinating account his early life in Madras, India during the last decades of British colonial rule, and the leading role played by Sir Alladi in drafting the Constitution of India. Then follows the incredible saga of his creation of MATSCIENCE, The Institute of Mathematical Sciences, in Madras, inspired by his visit to the Institute for Advanced Study in Princeton, and the result of a Theoretical Physics Seminar which he organized in his family home Ekamra Nivas in Madras, which received the endorsement of Nobel Laureate Niels Bohr, and the support of India's Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru. Part II covers the period of Ramakrishnan's term as Director of MATSCIENCE, and his visits to about 200 centres of learning the world over, where he interacted with leading scientists and lectured on his research in the fields of Probability, Stochastic Processes, Elementary Particle Physics, Matrix Theory, and on his novel treatment of Einstein's Special Relativity. Historical photos, letters, and documents of special interest are included.
