‘An ideal teacher who turned difficult ideas simple’: Scientists, groomed by Narlikar, remember their mentor

“The passing of Dr Jayant Narlikar is a monumental loss to the scientific community. He was a luminary, especially in the field of astrophysics. His pioneering works, especially key theoretical frameworks will be valued by generations of researchers. He made a mark as an institution builder, grooming centres of learning and innovation for young minds. His writings have also gone a long way in making science accessible to common citizens,” Prime Minister Narendra Modi said in his condolence message.

Narlikar had earned global recognition and fame during his stint at Cambridge University in the UK for his ground-breaking research on an alternative model of the universe in collaboration with his mentor and guide Fred Hoyle. After an eventful 12 years in the UK, he returned to India in 1972, first to work at Tata Institute of Fundamental Research in Mumbai and then at Inter-University Center for Astronomy and Astrophysics (IUCAA) in Pune which he had helped set up. It was from here that he energised astrophysics research in India, guiding several bright scientists many of whom made seminal contributions to the field.

“He was the reason I chose astronomy. He shaped my life,” said Ajit Kembhavi, a former director of IUCAA who was among his first students in India. Kembhavi said he had first heard of Narlikar in 1964 when he was still in school.

“I had read about him in a newspaper. Sometime later when my teacher asked my class whether they knew anything unique about Indian science, I was able to mention Hoyle-Narlikar theory. It actually turned out to be decisive moment for me,” Kembhavi said, adding that working with his hero later in his life was like a dream come true.

“Narlikar was the ideal teacher. He conveyed a great deal without saying much. He converted the most difficult ideas to simple calculations. He suggested but never insisted, helped just as much as I needed. Our relationship as teacher and student morphed into a much longer association over the years as colleagues and friends, the high point of which was all the work we did together for the development of IUCAA,” Kembhavi said.

Ashish Lele, director of Pune-based National Chemical Laboratory, said modern astronomy in India had become synonymous with Narlikar. “With his passing away, a glorious chapter in Indian astronomy has come to an end. He was truly one of India’s greatest scientists, science communicators and institution builders,” Lele said.

R A Mashelkar, another celebrated scientist, said Narlikar cared for science, and scientific temperament, like few others.

“I even remember the time when people would ask for his autograph and he would instead tell them to send him a postcard with any science question. He would then address that question,” Mashelkar said.

Somak Raychaudhury, vice-chancellor of Ashoka University and a former director of IUCAA, noted the contribution of Narlikar in building IUCAA into one of the finest scientific institutions in the country. IUCAA was unique in the manner in which it had opened its doors to inquisitive public and young students.

“I have known Prof Narlikar since the early 1980s. I was at Harvard when he offered me a job. I chose to return and help build the science popularization program at IUCAA — something I did under his mentorship. He gave me a free hand to build that programme. He would be on stage engaging directly with the audience,” Raychaudhury recalled.

He recalled that even the unique design and structure of the IUCAA building was the brainchild of Narlikar. “It is a tribute to astronomy and its pioneers in a symbolic way. Have you ever seen a government building like that,” he asked.

Tarun Souradeep, director of Raman Research Institute (RRI) in Bengaluru, and another student of Narlikar, said Narlikar would offer complete freedom to his students and would patiently listen to their ideas.

“I remember once telling him that my physics background had a lot of holes as I not done some of the courses. He had a simple answer to that and said all of us have big holes in our knowledge. Only later, when I had my own students, did I realize how important that kind of support was,” Souradeep said.

Arvind Paranjpye, director of the Nehru Planetarium in Mumbai, who was with IUCAA in the 1990s and was in charge of the public outreach programme there, said Narlikar emphasized the importance of giving interviews and engaging with the public. “Use every opportunity to talk about science, he would say,” Paranjpye recalled.

Lele of NCL said Narlikar had brought astronomy closer to the common man, with his short stories on science.

“I was deeply saddened to hear of his demise today morning. But every time that I look up at the starry night sky here onwards, I will know that Prof Naralikar will be among those billions of stars, shining bright as ever and smiling down on us,” he said.