Prof. K. Ramasubramanian is one among a small and unique cohort of Indian scholars, researchers and educators who has exalted expertise in Sanskrit, mathematics and astronomy. His visionary and pioneering works have placed India’s vast scientific brilliance and heritage in the world stage. He holds a Doctorate degree in Theoretical Physics, a Master’s in Sanskrit and a Bachelor’s in Engineering – a formidable combination with which he has re-established some of the lost treasures of our ancient Indian knowledge traditions.
In the fields of astronomy and mathematics, there is regrettably a predominant absence of knowledge within India about the major contributions made by former Indians. Prof. Ramasubramanian’s life, unbiased research and work has been dedicated, in part, to remedy and set right any misconceptions prevailing in the global arena about India’s rightful role. He has brought out several world-renowned and thoroughly researched monographs that gives India its due pedestal in the History of Science.
He serves as the Institute Chair Professor leading several research activities for the “Cell for Indian Science and Technology in Sanskrit” at the Indian Institute of Technology Bombay, India. His core areas of expertise are researching, preserving and disseminating ancient Sanskrit literature in Bharatiya Gaṇitaśāstra (Mathematics) and Jyotiḥśāstra (Astronomy) disciplines. His pioneering research on Indian scientific literature in Sanskrit has led him to path-breaking books, editing several volumes, and writing more than 100 articles that have proved the might of India’s scientific heritage and our sound legacy system of education.
For instance, through his works the world has come to appreciate the presence of non-trivial mathematics and spherical trigonometry in Gaṇita-Yukti-Bhāṣā, the nuanced astronomical planetary models in Tantrasaṅgraha, the unique computational techniques in Karaṇapaddhati and the mathematical ingenuity of Lagnaprakaraṇa. His research initiatives have been supported by MHRD’s Science and Heritage Initiative (SandHI) since 2014. His latest contributions include an ambitious project to create a technological ecosystem for the collection, preservation and digitization of Sanskrit manuscripts and texts in searchable form.
What has made possible his many remarkable achievements is his mastery in both, modern sciences and Sanskrit. Hailing from a profoundly traditional and scholarly family (son of Mahāmahopādhyāya Brahmaśrī Krishnamurthi Sastrigal), Prof. Ramasubramanian dived deep into our Sanskrit language and into the Śāstras, from a very young age.
Among several other awards and accolades, the President of India conferred upon him in 2008, the prestigious Maharshi Badrayan Vyas Samman in recognition for his unique work for bringing about the synergy between tradition and modernity. He was honored with the coveted title ‘Vidvat Pravara’ in 2003 by the Shankaracharya of Sringeri Sharada Peetham for demonstrating his mastery in Advaita Vedānta by completing a rigorous 14-semester program.
Being an influential visionary and a scholar par excellence in multiple disciplines, he is often sought after by reputed universities, educational boards, policymakers and tall institutions across many countries. He has been an active global advocate of salient Indian contributions in the History of Sciences. He has been a named consultant to the new National Educational Policy 2020 and has participated in various forums of NCERT, AICTE and other education governing bodies in India. Through his efforts, he has promoted the best pedagogical methods from ancient wisdom to reduce phobia towards math and increased technical teachings of Indian sciences.
He has been elected as a member to the International Union of History and Philosophy of Science and Technology (IUPHST) under UNESCO to promote History of Science in India. Prestigious positions held by him include Fellow of the Indian National Science Academy (FNA) and Editor, Indian Journal of History of Science, INSA, New Delhi. He has been playing significant roles as Member, Central Sanskrit Board, MHRD, Govt. of India; Member, Task Force, Vedic Heritage Portal, IGNCA; Member of Council, Indian Council of Philosophical Research; and ICCR Chair of Indian Studies, University of Copenhagen and as Convener of Sanskrit & Science in the 15th & 16th World Sanskrit Conference.
Professor Ramasubramanian does not confine his outcomes to scholarly circles alone but has strived to make ancient knowledge systems accessible for everyone to learn and to thoroughly enjoy them. His crisp lectures and video talks, heard in the digital and social media, are highly popular across the world - with one of his lectures “Computing Pi -The Indian Method” attracting more than 1.3 million views. This stands testimonial to the impact of Prof. K. Ramasubramanian on learners world-wide. His scientific talks are uniquely embedded with melodious Sanskrit chants and verses that are most favored by learners across the world - as it gives a glimpse into the ancient Gurukula systems of India.
His research dedicated to unearthing the works of ancient Kerala School of Astronomy and Mathematics has hoisted Indian scientific discoveries for the world to take note of and have garnered accolades from Fields Medalists David Mumford and Manjul Bhargava. His unique, unparalleled scholarship enables his life’s mission to inspire young minds to undertake research work on scientific literature in Sanskrit and thereby give India its rightful place in the world of history of science and Sanskrit. This relentless focus to research, recover and reverberate to restore ancient Indian history of science is his dominant contribution to the global community.