26 April - Srinivasa Ramanujan death anniversary

 

Srinivasa Ramanujan, passed away on 26 April 1920, was an Indian mathematician who lived during the British Rule in India. Though he had almost no formal training in pure mathematics, he made substantial contributions to mathematical analysis, number theory, infinite series, and continued fractions, including solutions to mathematical problems considered to be unsolvable. Ramanujan initially developed his own mathematical research in isolation: "He tried to interest the leading professional mathematicians in his work, but failed for the most part. What he had to show them was too novel, too unfamiliar, and additionally presented in unusual ways; they could not be bothered". Seeking mathematicians who could better understand his work, in 1913 he began a postal partnership with the English mathematician G. H. Hardy at the University of Cambridge, England. Recognizing the extraordinary work sent to him as samples, Hardy arranged travel for Ramanujan to Cambridge. In his notes, Ramanujan had produced groundbreaking new theorems, including some that Hardy stated had "defeated completely", in addition to rediscovering recently proven but highly advanced results

26 April - Tansen death anniversary

 

Tansen, passed away on 26 April 1589, was a prominent figure of Hindustani classical music. Born in a Hindu family, he learned and perfected his art in the northwest region of modern Madhya Pradesh. He began his career and spent most of his adult life in the court and patronage of the Hindu king of Rewa, Raja Ramchandra Singh, where Tansen's musical abilities and studies gained widespread fame. This reputation brought him to the attention of the Mughal Emperor Akbar, who sent messengers to Raja Ramchandra Singh, requesting Tansen to join the musicians at the Mughal court. Tansen did not want to go, but Raja Ramchandra Singh encouraged him to gain a wider audience, and sent him along with gifts to Akbar. In 1562, about the age of 60, the Vaishnava musician Tansen joined the Akbar court, and his performances became a subject of many court historians.

26 April - The Chernobyl disaster

 

The Chernobyl disaster was a catastrophic nuclear accident that occurred on April 26, 1986, at the Chernobyl Nuclear Power Plant in the city of Pripyat, in the former Ukrainian Soviet Socialist Republic, part of the Soviet Union at the time.

The disaster occurred during a late-night safety test in Reactor Number 4 of the Chernobyl power plant. Due to a combination of design flaws, operational errors, and inadequate safety protocols, a sudden power surge led to a series of explosions, resulting in a massive release of radioactive material into the atmosphere.

The immediate aftermath of the explosion led to the deaths of two plant workers, and the ensuing fire and radioactive fallout had devastating consequences for the surrounding area and beyond. The radioactive cloud spread over large parts of Europe, contaminating vast areas with dangerous levels of radiation.

The Chernobyl disaster is considered the worst nuclear accident in history in terms of both casualties and environmental impact. It resulted in widespread health problems, including radiation sickness, cancer, and birth defects, among the affected populations. The disaster also had significant social, economic, and environmental consequences, leading to the evacuation and abandonment of entire towns and regions surrounding the Chernobyl power plant.

Called the world's worst-ever civil nuclear incident, it is one of only two nuclear energy accidents rated at seven—the maximum severity—on the International Nuclear Event Scale, the other being the 2011 Fukushima nuclear disaster in Japan. The initial emergency response, together with later decontamination of the environment, involved more than 500,000 personnel and cost an estimated 18 billion roubles—roughly US$68 billion in 2019, adjusted for inflation.

25 April - Ustad Bade Ghulam Ali Khan death anniversary

 

Ustad Bade Ghulam Ali Khan was one of the most renowned classical vocalists in the Indian subcontinent. Born on April 2, 1902, in Kasur, British India (now in Pakistan), he belonged to the Patiala Gharana (a school of Hindustani classical music). Ustad Bade Ghulam Ali Khan was known for his exceptional mastery over the Hindustani classical music tradition, particularly the khayal and thumri genres.

His powerful and emotive voice, along with his intricate knowledge of raga (melodic modes) and tala (rhythmic cycles), earned him immense acclaim both in India and abroad. Ustad Bade Ghulam Ali Khan's renditions were characterized by their depth, versatility, and ability to evoke intense emotions in listeners.

Apart from his mastery of classical music, Ustad Bade Ghulam Ali Khan also experimented with blending elements of other musical styles, resulting in a unique and innovative approach to his performances. He recorded numerous albums and gave memorable live performances throughout his illustrious career.

Ustad Bade Ghulam Ali Khan's contributions to Hindustani classical music have left an indelible mark on the genre, inspiring generations of musicians and earning him a lasting legacy as one of the greatest vocalists in the history of Indian classical music. He passed away on April 25, 1968, leaving behind a rich treasure trove of musical compositions and recordings.

25 April - Ella Fitzgerald birth anniversary

Ella Fitzgerald, often referred to as the "First Lady of Song" or the "Queen of Jazz," was an iconic American jazz vocalist. She was born on 25 April 1917, in Newport News, Virginia, and passed away on 15 June 1996, in Beverly Hills, California.

Fitzgerald's career spanned several decades, and she is widely regarded as one of the most influential jazz singers of all time. Her vocal range, impeccable technique, and ability to improvise made her a true virtuoso in her field. Fitzgerald's contributions to jazz music are immense, and her recordings continue to be celebrated for their artistry and innovation.

Throughout her career, Fitzgerald collaborated with many notable jazz musicians, including Duke Ellington, Louis Armstrong, and Count Basie, among others. She recorded numerous albums and singles, covering a wide range of musical styles, from swing and bebop to ballads and scat singing.

Among her many achievements, Fitzgerald won a total of 14 Grammy Awards, including the Lifetime Achievement Award. She was also awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom, the highest civilian honor in the United States, in recognition of her contributions to music and culture.

Ella Fitzgerald's legacy extends far beyond her remarkable vocal talent. She broke down racial barriers in the music industry and became an inspiration to countless artists around the world. Her recordings continue to captivate audiences and inspire new generations of musicians, ensuring that her influence on jazz music will endure for years to come.

24 April - The fall of the city of Troy 1184 BC

 

On 24 April 1184 BC, The fall of the city of Troy.

Trojan War, legendary conflict between the early Greeks and the people of Troy in western Anatolia, dated by later Greek authors to the 12th or 13th century BCE. The war stirred the imagination of the ancient Greeks more than any other event in their history and was celebrated in the Iliad and the Odyssey of Homer, as well as a number of other early works now lost, and frequently provided material for the great dramatists of the Classical Age. It also figures in the literature of the Romans (e.g., Virgil’s Aeneid) and of later peoples down to modern times.

In the traditional accounts, Paris, son of the Trojan king, ran off with Helen, wife of Menelaus of Sparta, whose brother Agamemnon then led a Greek expedition against Troy. The ensuing war lasted 10 years, finally ending when the Greeks pretended to withdraw, leaving behind them a large wooden horse with a raiding party concealed inside. When the Trojans brought the horse into their city, the hidden Greeks opened the gates to their comrades, who then sacked Troy, massacred its men, and carried off its women. This version was recorded centuries later; the extent to which it reflects actual historical events is not known.

24 April - Dr. Rajkumar (actor) birth anniversary

 

Dr. Rajkumar (actor), born on 24 April 1929, was a popular Indian film actor and playback singer in the Kannada cinema. Widely acclaimed as one of the finest actors in the history of Indian cinema, he is considered a cultural icon and holds a matinée idol status in the Kannada diaspora. He was honored by Padma Bhushan Award in 1983, several national and state awards. His films have been remade more than 50 times in various languages. His 31 movies have been remade 53 times in 7 languages

23 April - William Wordsworth death anniversary

 

William Wordsworth, passed away on 23 April 1850, was an English Romantic poet who, with Samuel Taylor Coleridge, helped to launch the Romantic Age in English literature with their joint publication Lyrical Ballads (1798).

Wordsworth's magnum opus is generally considered to be The Prelude, a semi-autobiographical poem of his early years that he revised and expanded a number of times. It was posthumously titled and published by his wife in the year of his death, before which it was generally known as "the poem to Coleridge".

Wordsworth was Poet Laureate from 1843 until his death from pleurisy.

22 April - Baldev Raj Chopra birth anniversary

 

Baldev Raj Chopra (22 April 1914 – 05 November 2008) was a famous Indian director and producer of Bollywood industry and television series . Best known for directing Hindi films like Naya Daur (1957), Sadhna (1958), Kanoon (1961), Gumrah (1963), Humraaz (1967), Insaf Ka Tarazu (1980), Nikaah (1982), Awam (1987), and the producer of TV series, Mahabharat in 1988. He was awarded Dadasaheb Phalke Award, India's highest award in cinema, for the year 1998, and Padma Bhushan, India's third highest civilian award, in 2001.He died in Mumbai at the age of 94 on 5 November 2008

21 April - Mohammad Iqbal death anniversary

Muhammad Iqbal passed away on 21st April 1938 in Lahore, British India (now in Pakistan).

Muhammad Iqbal, often referred to as Allama Iqbal, was a renowned poet, philosopher, and politician in British India who is widely regarded as having inspired the Pakistan Movement. Born on November 9, 1877, in Sialkot, British India (now in Pakistan), Iqbal was educated in both the East and the West, earning degrees from Government College Lahore and the University of Cambridge.

His poetry, written in Urdu and Persian, reflects a deep spiritual and philosophical exploration, often focusing on themes of self-discovery, national identity, and the revitalization of the Islamic world. Some of his notable works include "Asrar-e-Khudi" (Secrets of the Self), "Bang-e-Dra" (The Call of the Marching Bell), and "Zabur-e-Ajam" (Persian Psalms).

Iqbal's vision for a separate Muslim state eventually culminated in the creation of Pakistan in 1947, though he passed away in 1938, well before its establishment. His ideas and poetry played a significant role in shaping the ideology of Pakistan and continue to inspire people across the world. He is widely respected as the national poet of Pakistan.