A MASTERFUL SPIRIT--HOMI BHABHA

A Masterful Spirit—Homi Bhabha by Indira Chowdhury and Ananya Dasgupta; Published by Penguin;Pages 240 ;
Price Rs 1299/-
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There are few biographies of the
“Father of India’s Nuclear Revolution”—Dr Homi Bhabha. This lacuna is admirably filled by this book by Indira Chowdhury and Ananya Dasgupta, both closely associated with the Tata Institute of Fundamental Research Archives. Chowdhury holds the New India fellowship to write the institutional history of T I F R. and is the recipient of the Tagore Prize in 2001 for her book “The Frail Hero and Virile History”. Dasgupta conceptualised the Bhabha centenary permanent exhibition.

The book is profusely illustrated with rare photographs of Bhabha, his family, his great acquaintances, his sketches of eminent scientists, his paintings and correspondence. Also there are delightful doodles by him.

This biography recapitulates Bhabha’s birth, childhood in Malabar Hill, Cathedral High School, Elphinstone College, Royal Institute of Science, Cambridge, the romance with physics, doctoral thesis on cosmic radiation, Indian Institute of Science with C.V.Raman , the establishment of the Atomic Energy Commission and finally the Atomic Research Centre, which eventually became BARC. Commending him for admission to FRS, C.V.Raman and a galaxy of distinguished scientists wrote “Bhabha is a distinguished mathematical physicist. Has contributed notably to our understanding of cosmic ray phenomenon, especially the absorption of the rays, the origin of electronic showers.”


Bhabha was a multi-faceted personality. Basically a scientist, he played a violin in a philharmonic concert, took part Cambridge regatta .He sketched the organ players, prepared the cover of the “ Caian”—his college magazine. He designed the sets for a performance of a Spanish play “Life is a dream” as also the sets of Mozart’s “Idomeno” for the Cambridge Musical Society.

There are three outstanding chapters –embellished by photographs--dealing with Bhabha and J.R.D.Tata, Bhabha and Jawaharlal Nehru and the establishment of the T I F R. Bhabha’s vision and ability to transform it to reality emerge clearly from these chapters.

Vikram Sarabhai in a tribute said, “Bhabha is a perfect example of the opposite of what C.P.Snow refers to as the alienation of scientists and humanists. He represented the best in the modern educated world and the best of science, of the arts. Bhabha not only understood the language of modern science but was thrilled with a recital of Bharata Natyam or a beautiful bronze from a temple.” C,V,Raman wrote of him, “..He is the modern equivalent of Leonardo da Vinci.”

The authors deserve special kudos for their skilful choice of photos, significant letters to eminent scientists by Bhabha and their responses. We have charming photographs of Bhabha with Albert Einstein, J.R.D.Tata and Jawaharlal Nehru and delightful cartoons of R/K.Laxman. The volume scales new technical heights. The lay-out and arrangement of images makes the volume highly impressive.

This is one of the finest books on a giant in science and lover of arts and is a “must read” for all students of science as also administrators of scientific organizations. It is undoubtedly a collector’s item.

P.P.Ramachandran