The launch of Sudipto Das’s latest novel, Jagadish Chandra Bose: The Reluctant Physicist, at Starmark, Quest Mall, was an enlightening affair, marked by discussions on art, literature, and the life and science of the eminent polymath.

Moderated by Debanjan Chakrabarti, director, East and Northeast India, British Council, the conversation started with a discussion on Bose’s life with author Sudipto Das, molecular biophysicist Gautam Basu and theoretical physicist Palash Baran Pal.

The speakers highlighted the lesser-known aspects of Bose’s scientific and personal journey, the many facets of his work, and his groundbreaking experiments that laid the foundation for modern wireless communication.

The discussion later delved into Bose’s contributions, exploring his impact on both science and the arts. Sharing insights into Bose’s unique approach to scientific research, his pioneering work in biophysics, and his profound influence on the understanding of plant physiology, the panellists highlighted the cultural and historical context of Bose’s work, emphasising his role in bridging the gap between the East and the West during a pivotal period in India’s scientific and cultural history. The audience was kept engaged with fascinating anecdotes about Bose’s life, his perseverance in the face of numerous challenges in his personal and professional life, and his enduring legacy in the scientific community.

Supriya Roy, novelist, former teacher at Modern High School for Girls and grandniece of Jagadish Chandra Bose, shared some personal anecdotes about how the J.C. Bose Memorial in Giridih was founded.

Author Sudipto Das said, “Bose played a very important role in many things for this country and is placed on a very high pedestal by Indian science. He believed Indian science must go hand-in-hand with Western science, which was a very radical thought at a time when the British doubted our capabilities in the field. More interesting was his personal relationships with Rabindranath Tagore and Sister Nivedita, and how he helped resurrect literature and art while simultaneously indulging in science during the Bengal Renaissance. He was a revolutionary in the truest sense of the term.”