C. V. Vishveshwara (1938–2017)

Abstract

C. V. Vishveshwara (Vishu) is associated to most of us with quasi-normal modes or the ringdown of a black hole. The prediction that his simple calculations made was dramatically verified after 46 years with the discovery of gravitational waves by LIGO, which was almost a year before he breathed his last on 16 January 2017 in Bengaluru. It was, therefore, most fortuitous that he could experience the exhilaration and satisfaction of his contribution when the whole world was cheering and applauding. Vishu will be remembered for a long time not only for his seminal contributions to understanding black holes, but also fondly for the word pictures and the Sydney Harris-like cartoons he created to share with his professional colleagues and the lay public the esoteric consequences of Einstein's general theory of relativity. His talks inspired generations of students to a career in science, and through the activities at the Jawaharlal Nehru Planetarium, Bengaluru and the Bangalore Association for Science Education (BASE) the inspiration lives on.