Dr. Jayant Vishnu Narlikar, a celebrated Indian astrophysicist and science communicator, passed away peacefully in his sleep at his Pune residence on Tuesday, May 20, 2025. He was 87 years old. Narlikar’s demise marks the end of a luminous era in Indian science and literature, leaving behind a legacy that will continue to inspire generations.
Born on July 19, 1938, in Kolhapur, Narlikar was raised in an intellectually vibrant environment. His father, Vishnu Vasudeva Narlikar, was a noted mathematician and Head of the Mathematics Department at Banaras Hindu University (BHU). Narlikar completed his early education in Varanasi and later earned his BA, MA, and PhD from the University of Cambridge, UK, where he became a Wrangler and Tyson Medallist in the Mathematical Tripos .
Narlikar’s contributions to cosmology are monumental. He worked with Sir Fred Hoyle on the “Conformal Gravity Theory” and proposed alternatives to the Big Bang theory. His work at the Tata Institute of Fundamental Research (TIFR) and later as the founding director of the Inter-University Centre for Astronomy and Astrophysics (IUCAA) in Pune, earned him international recognition. Under his leadership, IUCAA became a globally respected hub for astrophysics education and research .
Narlikar’s achievements were recognized with numerous awards, including:
- Padma Bhushan (1965): At just 26 years old, Narlikar received this prestigious award for his outstanding contributions to astrophysics.
- Padma Vibhushan (2004): This esteemed award further acknowledged his groundbreaking work in cosmology.
- Kalinga Prize (1996): UNESCO honored Narlikar for his exceptional efforts in popularizing science.
- Maharashtra Bhushan (2011): The Maharashtra government awarded him its highest civilian honor.
- Sahitya Akademi Award (2014): His Marathi-language autobiography, “Char Nagarantale Maze Vishva,” earned this prestigious literary award .
Narlikar’s impact extends beyond academia. He was a passionate science communicator who authored popular science books and articles, and appeared frequently on radio and television to explain complex scientific ideas in simple terms. His science fiction stories, particularly for young readers, further cemented his role as a public intellectual and mentor. Narlikar’s legacy will continue to inspire future generations of scientists, researchers, and science enthusiasts
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