<p>The challenge is to capture the essence of scientific truths in a simple language that can be understood and comprehended easily by the common man without being burdened with academics, says Prof Pandit Vidyasagar, Head of Department of Physics, Pune University.<br /><br />To encapsulate the laws of science such as Newton's theory of gravitation or Einstein's theory of relativity, Prof Vidyasagar, who is also in the forefront of the 'People's Science Movement' in the state, has used the form of "Ovi" or a couplet of about four lines, earlier employed by ancient Marathi saints like Jnaneshwar and Tukaram, to convey spiritual truths to the common masses.<br /><br />Talking to PTI, Prof Vidyasagar said, "the whole exercise needed coining of apt and parallel words in Marathi to explain the scientific terminology" which is being approved and validated by expert linguists.<br /><br />"We are also seeking feedback from school students and teachers on the comprehension aspect of the Ovis as a vehicle to simplify the scientific concepts," he added.<br /><br />Prof Vidyasagar's "Ovi" project for popularization of science in Maharashtra envisages composition of about 1,000 couplets, of which 850 are complete.<br /><br />Elaborating on the form he had chosen, he says "the Ovi is a 'Muktachhand' or a free flowing form of verse which can be memorised with its rhythmic lucidity as it does away with rigidity of grammar."<br /><br />The work, running into about 500 pages and expected to be translated into other languages, is slated for publication in March this year, versifying the complexities of science and explaining landmark discoveries as well as the theory of big bang - the beginning of the universe.</p>
<p>The challenge is to capture the essence of scientific truths in a simple language that can be understood and comprehended easily by the common man without being burdened with academics, says Prof Pandit Vidyasagar, Head of Department of Physics, Pune University.<br /><br />To encapsulate the laws of science such as Newton's theory of gravitation or Einstein's theory of relativity, Prof Vidyasagar, who is also in the forefront of the 'People's Science Movement' in the state, has used the form of "Ovi" or a couplet of about four lines, earlier employed by ancient Marathi saints like Jnaneshwar and Tukaram, to convey spiritual truths to the common masses.<br /><br />Talking to PTI, Prof Vidyasagar said, "the whole exercise needed coining of apt and parallel words in Marathi to explain the scientific terminology" which is being approved and validated by expert linguists.<br /><br />"We are also seeking feedback from school students and teachers on the comprehension aspect of the Ovis as a vehicle to simplify the scientific concepts," he added.<br /><br />Prof Vidyasagar's "Ovi" project for popularization of science in Maharashtra envisages composition of about 1,000 couplets, of which 850 are complete.<br /><br />Elaborating on the form he had chosen, he says "the Ovi is a 'Muktachhand' or a free flowing form of verse which can be memorised with its rhythmic lucidity as it does away with rigidity of grammar."<br /><br />The work, running into about 500 pages and expected to be translated into other languages, is slated for publication in March this year, versifying the complexities of science and explaining landmark discoveries as well as the theory of big bang - the beginning of the universe.</p>