The world knows S. Chandrasekhar as a Nobel laureate and an outstanding astrophysicist. But he was, at the same time, a caring uncle, a devoted husband and a compassionate brother. This compilation brings out the various facets of the man and the scientist. It includes some of his more general essays and lectures in which he lucidly presents his thoughts on the pursuit of science, creativity, his work, and his abiding love for his motherland. It brings to the fore the person that was Subrahmanyan Chandrasekhar and the life he led: from his engagement with science to the little anecdotes that illuminated the lives of those around him. ‘Chandra probably thought longer and deeper about our universe than anyone since Einstein.’ — Martin Rees, Astronomer Royal, United Kingdom ‘I discovered what true mathematical elegance is from Subrahmanyan Chandrasekhar.’ — Carl Sagan, who studied under Professor Chandrasekhar at the University of Chicago

About Author : Ramnath, Radika

Subrahmanyan Chandrasekhar (1910–95) discovered what is hailed as one of the most important discoveries in astrophysics – the Chandrasekhar limit – at the age of nineteen, paving the way for the unearthing of neutron stars and black holes. In a career spanning over sixty years, Chandra’s research resulted in a large number of papers and monographs, which have had a huge influence on astronomy and astrophysics. He was awarded the Padma Vibhushan in 1968 and the Nobel Prize in Physics in 1983. Radhika Ramnath is a software professional based in Delhi and is the daughter of Chandrasekhar’s youngest brother, and so had the opportunity to know him closely as well as hear him lecture on numerous occasions.