Art & Culture

India in Space Research

India has an astounding legacy in the field of space exploration, aided by renowned scientists, through contributions. Though names of Dr. Vikram Sarabhai and Dr. A.P.J. Abdul Kalam is the most popular knowledge for the masses, there are still many personalities which are unknown to many.

The genesis of Indian Space Research Organization in 1969 and the subsequent establishment of the space research activities in India was primarily because of Dr. Vikram Sarabhai, who was then personified as the ‘father of Indian Space Research Program’. Aiding him in the process was the one and only ‘Missile Man of India’,  Avul Pakir Jainulabdeen Abdul Kalam, who was prominent and visionary in the field of developing ballistic missiles and was the lead in developing SLV III which launched India Rohini – I satellite into the Earth’s orbit.

Under Satish Dhawan, India achieved remarkable feats in the field of satellite and launch vehicle technology. He is regarded as the ‘father of experimental research on fluid dynamics in India. An eminent mathematician and aerospace engineer, the launching station at Sriharikota of Andhra Pradesh is named after him.

U.R Rao was the mastermind behind India’s first satellite Aryabhatta and contributed to the development of 20 satellites and their launching technology. India ‘s maiden lunar mission Chandrayaan – I was a milestone in Indian Space Research. The Project Director during the research was Mylswamy Annadurai who is the current vice president of Science and Technology Council of Tamil Nadu. He was also the Project Director of the Mars Orbiter Mission.

G. Madhavan Nair was a key figure in Indian space research by providing significant inputs to the Chandrayaan -I mission and development of PSLV and GSLV programs. He served as one of the chairmen of ISRO from 2003-2009.

India became the first country ever to touch down at mars in the first attempt under K. Radhakrishnan, who was a sensation in satellite technology and interplanetary research.

Subrahmanyan Chandrasekhar may not be a widely recognized name in the realm of international space research. Being a Nobel laureate in the field of astrophysics along with William Fowler in 1983 for studying the evolution of stars, his contributions evoked profound impact on understanding our universe. The term ‘Chandrasekhar Limit’ was coined as an acknowledgement for his works in this field.

Madhubani & Warli: The paintings which bridged the gap.

Madhubani and Warli, two distinct painting styles developed from two extreme regions of India had a unifying effect of heightening contemporary art and culture. the former one developing from Mithila, in Bihar and the latter from the Warli tribe of Maharashtra can be considered as a bridge which connects the gap between the modern and vintage styles of art.

Madhubani, known for their intricate patterns and the vibrancy of the colors made from natural dyes employed in it. Folklores, social events and mythological aspects were mostly depicted using this painting style. the painting which was ling lost in the ages of Indian history was revived during the 1960’s for picturizing the rich culture and pride of India.

Whereas the Warli painting is known for its modesty and application of basic geometric figures like, triangles, squares and circles. The daily life, nature and folklores were the topics of its illustration. The painting was done on mud walls using white pigment obtained from rice paste. The painting was crucial for addressing the socio-economic issues and subsequent empowerment of the Warli community.