BOOK REVIEW : ALTERNATIVE SCIENCES : CREATIVITY AND ATHENTICITY IN TWO INDIAN SCIENTISTS BY ASHIS NANDY

AshisNandy’s book titled, “Alternative Sciences: Creativity and Authenticity in Two Indian Scientists” is highly personal of two eminent Indian Scientists and elegantly poetic and philosophical. Nandy traces the life histories and scientific research of Bengali physiologist, Jagadis Chandra Bose and Tamil mathematician, Srinivasa Ramanujan in nineteenth century India. Though the title of the book may be misleading as to the search for a ‘new science’, the author tries to analyze not the content of science but the context/forces that shape modern science. This the author did meticulously by constructing a social, psychological and cultural episode showcasing the two scientists encounter with scientific creativity, religion and magic. Theepisode based on descriptions from family, friends, colleagues and collaborators paints two long essays in the book. Nandywhile examining to a large extent the emotional, social and cultural environment of traditional India, simultaneously dissected myths that clouded the biographies of his two real live heroes.

Keywords:
Book review, Bose, Culture, Ramanujan, Society