Vaiyacheri Panchanada Ramaswami Ayyar* was born on December 21, 1889 in a village called Vaiyacheri in South India in Tanjore District in Madras State. His parents were Vaiyacheri Panchanadeeshwara Ayyar (Vice-Principal of Nagapatnam College) & Sow. Subbalakshmi Ammal. He was the second of eight children, four boys & four girls. He lost his father at a young age when he was barely 13 years old. Young Ramaswami Ayyar took the brunt of the load of supporting his mother and the seven siblings. With great difficulty and perseverance, Ramaswami Ayyar not only completed his own education with distinction but also helped his siblings & mother settle in their lives. His mother lived past the ripe old age of ninety plus years. As a University student in Madras, he addressed in the Madras beach a gathering of Nationalists striving for independence. Following this some prominent leaders requested him to join the Nationalist movement. But his interest in Science dominated over politics and he dedicated the rest of his life for Science.

Ramaswami Ayyar graduated three times as M.A. in Mathematics, M.A. in Physics and M.A. in Chemistry all with distinction from the St. Joseph’s College in Trichinopoly (Madras State). He was offered a Professorship in Chemistry at the same college and he accepted it in 1917. During the summer months in the years since 1911, he went to the Indian Institute of Science (founded in 1909) in Bangalore to work on research projects in the General Chemistry Department and with Professor J.J. Sudborough (from Wales, UK) of the Organic Chemistry Department. He soon earned for his researches the Associateship of the Indian Institute of Science (A.I.I.Sc.). After a few summers’ highly productive research, Prof. Sudborough offered Professor Ramaswami Ayyar a Faculty Position at the Organic Chemistry Department, the first ever offered to an Indian in that Institute. After several high level “negotiations” between the head of the St. Joseph’s College & that of the Indian Institute of Science, Prof. Ramaswami Ayyar joined the Research & Teaching staff of the Organic Chemistry Department in 1919 and continued in that position till he retired in 1946. He was re-hired soon thereafter to continue in the Faculty till 1949 to guide research students in several research projects sponsored by the Council of Scientific & Industrial Research Organization. During the three decades and more, Professor Ramaswami Ayyar trained and guided in sophisticated research techniques leading to higher degrees more than hundred post graduate research scholars from all over India and a few from overseas. He has made many original contributions to new knowledge in the fields of synthetic organic chemistry, stereochemistry, chemistry of natural products such as Ayurvedic Indian herbs, oils & fats, alkaloids & glycosides, other plant products, etc. He also contributed to the Indianization of the staff of the Institute.

Professor Ramaswami Ayyar was one of the founding members of the Kannada Sahithya Parishat, patron of the Sanskrit Journal Bhavitavyam, founder of the South Indian Science Association (to a Meeting of which, his cousin C. V. Raman* was invited to announce on 16th March 1928 the discovery of a New Radiation, later called Raman Effect), one of the select few Founding Fellows of Sir C. V. Raman’s Indian Academy of Sciences, and also founder of the Current Science Journal, all in Bangalore, India.

After retirement, he spent his time productively through his own personal laboratory: Ramaswami Ayyar Research Laboratory, in Bangalore, helping small scale industrialists exploit the vast natural resources of Independent India, often gratis. He found a method of manufacturing soap for silk using hair from barber’s waste, an example of his slogan `wealth from waste’. In the family and society, he stood as the pillars of morality, peace, philosophy and education. He was an enthusiast of Sanskrit and English literature. After a brief illness, he passed away on the 9^th of March 1966. His beloved wife, Kamalambal*, of over sixty years’ wedded life, predeceased him in May 1963.

Ramaswami and Kamalambal's demise was mourned by his three sons (Panchanadeeshwaran^m, Mathrubhutheshwaran^m, Mallikarjuneshwaran^m), three daughters (Balambal^f, Kamakshi^f and Bhageerathi^f), twelve grand children (Balambal’s daughters: Rajalakshmi^f, Saroja^f, Jayam^f, Saraswathi^f, Mahalakshmi^f and Bhageerathi's children: Bhanumathi^f, Venkataraman^m, Savitri^f, Uma^f, Kalyani^f, Lakshmi^f and Rajarajeshwari^f) and a host of friends and relatives. Since 1966: grandchildren: (Mathrubhutheshwaran's son and daughter: Sriram^m and Shamali^f), (Mallikarjuneshwaran's daughter: Kamala^f), great grand children (grand children of Balambal): Neela^f, David^m, Emil^m, Albert^m, Kamala^f, Annie^f, Anand^m, Suchi^f, Alan^m and Steven^m, great great grand children (grand children of Rajalakshmi^f ): Anna^f, Jasmina^f and Evelina^f, and many more progeny through their (Ramaswami and Kamalambal's) other daughters and sons.

(* See the last part below for Ramaswami and Kamalambal's ancestry; superscripts: m = male and f = female)

Dates:

• 1889 Born on December 21 at Vaiyacheri [South India]

• 1909 Triple M.A. in Mathematics, Physics & Chemistry

• 1911-19 Served on the Faculty and appointed Professor of Chemistry (1917) in St. Joseph’s College, Trichinopoly, Madras State.

• 1911-19 Summer Research Scientist at the General Chemistry and Organic Chem. Depts., Indian Inst. of Science, Bangalore

• 1919-1949 Research & Teaching Faculty, Organic Chemistry Department, Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore.

• 1949-1966 Director: Ramaswami Ayyar Research Laboratory.

• 1914 Synthesis of cis-alfa dibromo cinnamic acid & photo conversion to trans dibromo cinnamic acid.

• 1925 Isolation of the active ingredient of the anti-dysenteric Ayurvedic medicinal herb, Hollerina Antidysenterica , in the form of the alkaloidal glycoside.

• 1928? First time isolation of Lignoceric Acid from the Red Coral Seeds.

• 1934 Steric hindrance and geometrical isomerism (Nature, p. 535, October 6, 1934).

• 1919-49 Elucidation of the fatty acid composition of numerous fatty oils of Indian origin.

• 1946-49 Isolation of Cashew shell oil & its use in anti-corrosive paints.

• 1945-47 Isolation of Heptaldehyde from Castor oil & its use in selective seperation of Hydoxylamine from potassium nitrate reduction.

• 1942-49 Use of castor oil in the production of synthetic rubber.

• 1951-55 Use of human hair amino acid Cystine for production of Cysteic acid based synthetic soap.

• 1955-57 Oxalic Acid from Saw dust

1. P. R. Ayyar, and J. J. Sudborough
Action of bases on a, a, b- and a, b, b-tribromo-b-phenyl-propionic acids and their esters. [CA, Vol. 17: 3021-22, 1923] J. Indian Inst. Sci., 6, 69 –92 (1923).

2. P. R. Ayyar
Chemistry of neem oil. [CA, Vol. 18: 1398, 1924] J. Proc. Asiactic. Soc. Bengal, 18, No. 6, (Proc. 9^th Indian Sci. Congress, lxv) (1922).

3. S. N. Iyer, J. J. Sudborough and P. R. Ayyar
Argemone oil. [CA, Vol. 19: 3607, 1925] J. Indian Inst. Sci., 8A, 29 –38 (1925).

4. J. J. Sudborough, H. E. Watson and P. R. Ayyar
Vegetable oils containing glycerides of erucic acid (I) introduction. [CA, Vol. 21:505, 1927].

5. J. J. Sudborough, H. E. Watson, P. R. Ayyar and N. R. Damle
Vegetable oils containing glycerides of erucic acid (II) rape oil. [CA. Vol. 21: 505, 1927].

6. J. J. Sudborough, H. E. Watson, P. R. Ayyar and V. M. Mascarenhas
Vegetable oils containing glycerides of erucic acid (III) Indian mustard oil. [CA. Vol. 21: 505, 1927].

7. J. J. Sudborough, H. E. Watson, P. R. Ayyar and T. J. Mirchandani
Vegetable oils containing glycerides of erucic acid (IV) jumba oil. [CA. Vol. 21: 505, 1927].

8. J. J. Sudborough, H. E. Watson, P. R. Ayyar and N. R. Damle
(V) oil from Tropoeolum majus. [CA. Vol. 21: 506, 1927].

9. J. J. Sudborough, H. E. Watson, P. R. Ayyar and N. R. Damle
(VI) preparation of pure behenic acid. [CA. Vol. 21: 506, 1927].

10. J. J. Sudborough, H. E. Watson, P. R. Ayyar and N. R. Damle
(VII) solidifying-point curves of mixtures of Me stearate and Me behenate; solidifying- and melting-point curves of mixtures of stearic and behenic acids. [CA, Vol. 21: 506, 1927].

11. R. Bhattacharya and P. R. Ayyar
Oils and fats from the seeds of Indian forest plants. VIII. oil from the seeds of Thevetia nerifolia (Juss.). [CA, Vol. 21: 3277, 1927]. J. Indian Inst. Sci., 10A, Pt. 2, 15 - 9 (1927).

12. R. V. Ghanekar and P. R. Ayyar
Oils and fats from the seeds of Indian forest plants. IX. Oil from the seeds of Cerbera odollam (Gaertn). [CA, Vol. 21: 3277, 1927] J. Indian Inst. Sci., 10A, Pt. 2, 20 –3 (1927).

13. R. V. Ghanekar and P. R. Ayyar
Oils and fats from the seeds of Indian forest plants. X. oil from the seeds of Holarrhena antidysenterica. [CA, Vol. 21: 3278, 1927].

14. R. V. Ghanekar and P. R. Ayyar
Oils and fats from the seeds of Indian forest plants. XI. oil from the seeds of Anona squamosa. [CA, Vol. 21: 3278, 1927].

15. D. R. Paranjpe and P. R. Ayyar
Oil from the seeds of Sapindustrifoliatus (Linn). [CA, Vol. 24: 743, 1930].

16. P. Ramaswami Ayyar
Lignoceric acid from the seeds of Adenanthera pavonina. I. [CA, Vol. 25:2971, 1931] Proc. 15^th Indian Sci. Cong., 153 (1928).

17. P. Ramaswami Ayyar
Thevetin, a crystalline glucoside from the seeds of Thevetia neriifolia. I. [CA, Vol. 25: 3007, 1931] Proc. 15^th Indian Sci. Cong., 161 (1928).

18. P. R. Ayyar and V. A. Patwardhan
Fixed oil from Amoora rohituka seeds. [CA, Vol. 29: 6450², 1935].

19. P. Ramaswami Ayyar
The steric factor in organic chemical reactions. I. The influence of esterification on the mode of addition of bromine to ?-phenylpropiolic acid. [CA, Vol. 30: 2185, 1936] J. Indian Inst. Sci., 18A, 123 – 8 (1935).

20. D. R. Mehta and P. R. Ayyar
Steric effect of the nitro group on the orientation of a third substituent in meta nitrophenol. [CA, Vol. 34: 2814⁹, 1940].

21. D. R. Mehta and P. R. Ayyar
Bromination of o-nitrotoluene and the steric effect of the Br atom on the relative yields of the 4- and 6- bromo derivatives. [CA, Vol. 37: 620⁵, 1943].

Listed in I.I.Sc., Current Science and Indian Academy of Science websites

1. P. Ramaswami Ayyar; J. J.Sudborough.
The Action of Bases on aplha alpha beta-and alpha beta beta-Tribromo-beta-phenyl- propionic Acids and their Esters
Journal of the Indian Institute of Science, Volume: 6 (1923) 69 – 92.
http://journal.library.iisc.ernet.in/iiscjournal/v6/p69-92.pdf (full paper)

2. J.J. Sudborough.; P. Ramaswamy Ayyar
II. Polycyclic and Cage Systems of Carbon Compounds
Journal of the Indian Institute of Science, Volume: 7 (1924) 166 – 180. http://journal.library.iisc.ernet.in/archives/V7.html

3. S. Narayana Iyer.; J. J. Sudborough.; P. Ramaswamy Ayyar
Argemone Oil
Journal of the Indian Institute of Science, Part A. Volume: 8 (1925) 29-38. http://journal.library.iisc.ernet.in/archives/V8.html

4. J.V.Lakhani.; J.J. Sudborough.; P. Ramaswamy Ayyar
Dehydration of Rectified Spirit means of Anhydrous Calcium Chloride
Journal of the Indian Institute of Science, Part A. Volume: 8 (1925) 49-54. http://journal.library.iisc.ernet.in/archives/V8.html

5. J. J. Sudborough.; H.E. Watson.; P. Ramaswamy Ayyar
Vegetable Oils Containing Glycerides of Erucic Acid
Journal of the Indian Institute of Science, Part A. Volume: 9 (1926) 25 -70 . http://journal.library.iisc.ernet.in/archives/V9.html

6. Ramkanta Bhattachraya.; P. Ramaswamy Ayyar.
Oils and Fats from the Seeds of Indian Forest Plants. Part VIII. The Oil from the seeds of Thevetia Nerifolia(Juss.)

7. Ramachandra Vishnu Ghanekar.; P. Ramaswamy Ayyar.
Part IX. The Oil from the Seeds of Cerbera Odollam (Gaertn.)

8. Ramachandra Vishnu Ghanekar.; P. Ramaswamy Ayyar.
Part X. The Oil from the Seeds of Holarrhena Antidysentrica

9. Ramachandra Vishnu Ghanekar.; P. Ramaswamy Ayyar.
Part XI. The Oil from the Seeds of Anona Squamosa (Linn.)
Journal of the Indian Institute of Science, Part A. Volume: 10 (1927) 15-32 http://journal.library.iisc.ernet.in/archives/V10.html

10. D. R. Paranjpe.; P.Ramaswami Ayyar.
Oil from the Seeds of Sapindus Trifoliatus, (Linn.)
Journal of the Indian Institute of Science, Volume: 12 A (1929) 179 – 184. http://journal.library.iisc.ernet.in/archives/V12A%20.html - 63k

11. P. Ramaswami Ayyar.; V. A. Patwardhan.
The Fixed Oil from the Seeds of Amoora rohituka (W. & A.)
Journal of the Indian Institute of Science, Volume: 18 (1935) 19-24 http://journal.library.iisc.ernet.in/archives/V18.html - 61k

12. P. Ramaswami Ayyar.
The Steric Factor in Organic Chemical Reactions. Part I. Influence of Esterification on the Mode of Addition of Bromine to beta-Phenyl- Propiolic Acid
Journal of the Indian Institute of Science, Volume: 18 (1935) 123 – 128. http://journal.library.iisc.ernet.in/archives/V18.html - 61k

13. P. Ramaswami Ayyar
The New Oil Committee and Fundamental Research
Current-Science, vol.14, January 1945, 5-7. Proceedings of the Indian Academy of Science, Section A , Volume 8 http://www.ias.ac.in/j_archive/currsci/14/1/5-7/viewpage.html (full paper)

14. Vegetable Ghee (1930 work of P. Ramaswami Ayyar
Current-Science, vol.15, April 1946, 94. http://www.ias.ac.in/j_archive/currsci/15/4/94-94/viewpage.html (full article)

15. P. Ramaswami Ayyar
The Eternal Glory of Ayurveda.
Current-Science, vol.15, January 1946, 177 - 179. http://www.ias.ac.in/j_archive/currsci/15/7/177-179/viewpage.html (full paper)
 
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Common ancestry of RAMASWAMI AYYAR^m (1889 – 1966) and KAMALAMBAL^f (1897 – 1963):

Great grandparents of Ramaswami Ayyar and Kamalambal:

Vaidyanatha Ayyar^m (ruler and owner of villages around the Cauvery river) married Balambal^f.
Their only offspring – Meenakshi^f (inherited all her parents’ property as the only offspring)

Grandparents of Ramaswami Ayyar and Kamalambal:

Meenakshi^f married Mahalinga Ayyar^m (who co-owned the property of his wife, got the title Rajangam Ayyar).
Their offsprings - Ponnamma^f, ¹Valambal^f, ²Subbalakshmi ^f (Thayu), ³Venkataraman^m, Mangalamba^f, Alamelu^f, Rajamma^f and Thayamma^f (Doreyamma), Nateshan^m (Sabeshan?),

 RAMASWAMI^m (1889 – 1966)'s mother: ²Subbalakshmi ^f (Thayu) and KAMALAMBAL^f (1897 – 1963)'s father: ³Venkataraman^m
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¹Valambal^f married Viswanathan^m Ayyar (= brother of Chandrasekhara Ayyar)
Their offsprings - ^ASubrahmanyan^m (= Kalahasti), Radhakrishnan +?)

Chandrasekhara^mAyyar married Parvathi Ammal^f:
Their offsprings - Subramanyan^m (= father of ^ES. Chandrasekhar, N.L. (1910 - 1995)^m), ^BVenkataraman^m (= Sir C. V. Raman, N.L. (1888 – 1970)), Mangalam^f, Kumaraswamy^m, Sundaram^m, Sitalakshmi^f, Meenakshi^f and Ramaswamy^m.

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Parents of RAMASWAMI^m (1889 – 1966):

²Subbalakshmi^f married Panchandeeshwara^m Ayyar, M. A., (1857 – 1903) (Vice Principal of Nagapatnam College).
Their offsprings – ^C*RAMASWAMI^m (1889 – 1966), Jambu^m, Mahalingam^m, Vaidyanathan^m, Sreemathi^f, Meenakshi^f, Valambal^f, Chinnamma^f + ?

Parents of KAMALAMBAL^f (1897 – 1963):

³Venkatarama Ayyar^m married Parvathavardhini^f (Parvathi) (daughter of Seethalakshmi^f (?) and Thunga^m, Treasurer and Palace Astrologer of Tanjavur Maharaja.
Their offsprings –  ^D*KAMALAMBAL^f (1897 – 1963), Lakshmi^f, Parvathi^f, Dharmamba^f, Mangalamba^f (sister-in-law of vocal musician M. S. Subbalakshmi^f), Annapurni^f, Seethalakshmi^f (married Palace Musician Chidambara Bhagavathar^m), Subramanyan^m (Maniyan) and Jalpeshan^m.

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Note: ^ASubrahmanyan^m, ^BVenkataraman^m (= Sir C. V. Raman), ^C*RAMASWAMI^m and ^D*KAMALAMBAL^f  were all cousins. A, B and C did their University education together in Madras, A & B in Presidency College and C in Wesley College. A became an Accountant General of India in Madras/Delhi; B & C settled in their professions as a Physicist and a Chemist respectively, in Bangalore.

^ES. Chandrasekhar^m [http://www-news.uchicago.edu/releases/95/950822.chandrasekhar.shtml], a nephew of ^BSir C. V. Raman [http://www.freeindia.org/biographies/greatscientists/drcvraman/page12.htm] was an Astrophysicist, settled in Chicago, USA.

Another contemporary in Madras (with whom RAMASWAMI shared a dormitory home ?) was the mathematician S. A. Ramanujan, F. R. S. (1887 – 1920) [http://www-groups.dcs.st-andrews.ac.uk/~history/Mathematicians/Ramanujan.html], who was invited by G. H. Hardy of Trinity College to work in the University of Cambrigde, UK.

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