Work on Acharya
Prafulla Chandra Ray
A decade-long body of research, writing, filmmaking and public engagement by Prof. Rajeev Singh commemorating the father of Indian chemistry — the polymath who founded Bengal Chemicals in 1901, taught generations at Presidency and Calcutta University, and shaped India's swadeshi scientific imagination.
"A revolutionary in the garb of a scientist — Acharya P.C. Ray taught us that chemistry, character and country are one continuous experiment."
The Legendary Acharya Prafulla Chandra Ray
The Legendary Acharya Prafulla Chandra Ray
A definitive Indian-English biography weaving together the science, the nationalist thought and the everyday life of Acharya P.C. Ray. Written by Rajeev Singh for the widest possible readership — students, teachers and general readers.
- Released by Dr. Subhas Sarkar, Hon'ble Minister of State for Education, Government of India
- Prescribed for Vidyarthi Vigyan Manthan (VVM) — India's largest school science talent examination, jointly run by Vigyan Prasar, NCERT & Vijnana Bharati
- Officially translated into 11 Indian languages — carrying P.C. Ray's story into every major Indian classroom
Science India Collector's Edition
Revolutionary in the Garb of a Scientist, published by Vijnana Bharati. The coffee-table book edition was gifted to every one of the thousands of participants at India International Science Festival, Goa 2021.
Read in Science India94 films screened at International Science Festival in Bhopal — India dominates prize list
Press coverage of the International Science Festival where Prof. Singh's work on P.C. Ray featured prominently.
Read articleRevolutionary in the Garb of a Scientist
Revolutionary in the Garb of a Scientist
Prof. Rajeev Singh served as the Content Research Expertfor this Bollywood-directed feature on Acharya P.C. Ray — a film that premiered as the inaugural film at the 12th National Science Film Festival, 2022.
Read press coverageInaugural film at the 12th National Science Film Festival 2022 — a national platform for high-quality science filmmaking curated by the Government of India.
Content Research Expert — Prof. Rajeev Singh guided the historical, scientific and cultural accuracy of every scene depicting P.C. Ray's life and work.
The film reintroduced a generation of Indian audiences to the swadeshi scientist who founded Bengal Chemicals in 1901 and refused all imperial honours.
Scholarly writing
Master of Nitrites: Acharya Prafulla Chandra Ray
A close reading of P.C. Ray's landmark chemistry on nitrites — the work that first placed India on the world's chemistry map.
Read full articlePeer-reviewed paper on Acharya P.C. Ray
Published in the Bulletin of the Vigyan Academy — India's National Institute of Science Communication & Policy Research (CSIR-NISCPR).
Read full articleRevolutionary in the Garb of a Scientist
Popular feature carrying the story of P.C. Ray's swadeshi science to Science India's national readership.
Read full articleCoffee-table feature (Vijnana Bharati)
A coffee-table book version of this edition was gifted to every one of the thousands of participants at India International Science Festival, Goa, 2021.
Read full articlePublic lectures & conversations
Prof. Rajeev Singh on Acharya P.C. Ray — Public Talk
Public lecture on the life and science of the father of Indian chemistry.
Revisiting the Legacy of Acharya Prafulla Chandra Ray
In-depth conversation exploring P.C. Ray's chemistry, ethics and swadeshi spirit.
P.C. Ray Commemoration — Live Session
Live-streamed tribute organized in honour of Acharya P.C. Ray.
Take this legacy further.
If you are a teacher, filmmaker, journalist, PhD scholar or a student working on Acharya P.C. Ray, please write in. Prof. Rajeev Singh is happy to share source material, references and interview footage.