A scientist who discerned physics, ‘thayir sadam’ alike

Contemporaries recall how science, philosophy, and spirituality blended in E.C.G. Sudarshan, ‘the greatest human Kerala gifted to science in the past century’

Illus: for TH_sreejith r.kumar

“It has come out well. But I think it would have been perfect if you had used a bit lesser quantity of asafoetida. Don’t forget this is ‘satwik food’. All ingredients should hold back.” This was what theoretical physicist Ennackal Chandy George Sudarshan or E.C.G. Sudarshan commented on the thayir sadam prepared for the delegates of the national conference held at CMS College in 1985.

Suma Sivadas, well known culinary expert and wife of popular science writer S. Sivadas, said, “he would come to us before the food was served, taste each and every cuisine with full attention and make comments. It was as if he was in a lab ascertaining the work of his students. After a while, the same person could be seen speaking on theoretical physics in the next session of the conference often quoting from vedanta.”

“He was a complete human being. Science, philosophy, spirituality, all transcended into an aesthetics of its own in his hands,” said Prof. Sivadas.

E.C.G. Sudarshan with Prof. K. Srinivasa Rao at the George Sudarshan Centre of Physics and Computer Science at CMS College; in the corridor of Collins Library at the college.

 

On the valedictory day of the conference was the recital by famous flautist N. Ramani, a close friend of Prof. Sudarshan, who specially came all the way from Chennai. Introducing his friend, Prof. Sudarshan said: “So far we were talking about string theory, energy charge etc. Now experience for yourself how it works on us.”

Brilliant student

Born into Ennackel family at Pallom near here on September 16, 1931, he was an outstanding student. P.T. Abraham, former principal of CMS College, remembers Prof. Sudarshan. “He was junior to me here and also at Madras Christian College. But the fact that we both were from Kottayam made our bond stronger in Chennai. He was one of the brightest minds I have come across.”

They continued their friendship late into their life. The bond and Prof. Sudarshan’s love for his alma mater were the reasons why he set up the George Sudarshan Centre of Physics and Computer Science at the CMS College.

In the corridor of Collins Library at the college.

 

Human element

At the inauguration of the Centre one of the speakers hoped that Prof. Sudarshan would be able to give them any number of computer units. When his turn came, Prof. Sudarshan agreed. “I can give you any number of computers. But I would not be able to give you men,” he quipped, clearly pointing to the importance of human element in pursuit of science.

‘Prof. Sudarshan who used to sign his name as ‘George C. Ennackal’ changed to ECG Sudarshan after he was involved in two affairs: One, with his fellow student Lalitha whom he married later, and two, Hinduism. Prof. Sudarshan had considered himself a ‘Vedantin Hindu’. He used to visit temples whenever he got a chance.

Prof. Sivadas says: “Without doubt we can be proud of him as the greatest human being Kerala had gifted to the world of science in the last century.”