Encounters with Infinity: Three Plays on Science History By Nilanjan P. Choudhury

A CAPTIVATING COLLECTION OF DRAMATIC PLAYS CELEBRATING THE TRIUMPHS, STRUGGLES, AND EXTRAORDINARY LIVES OF PIONEERING SOUTH ASIAN PHYSICISTS.

“A refreshing celebration of the actual achievements of an Indian scientist in a time when too many imaginary achievements of ancient Indian science are being propagated.” — Naseeruddin Shah

Set against the tumultuous backdrop of the 20th century—spanning the World Wars, the Indian freedom struggle, and the birth of relativity and quantum mechanics—Encounters with Infinity brings to life the remarkable minds who forever changed our understanding of the universe. Written by Nilanjan P. Choudhury, this thought-provoking trilogy features three distinct plays:

• The Square Root of a Sonnet: Explores the gripping history and science of black holes through the complex relationship between brilliant Indian-American astrophysicist Subrahmanyan Chandrasekhar and his mentor, Sir Arthur Eddington.

• The Trial of Abdus Salam: A powerful courtroom drama examining the life and legacy of Abdus Salam, the first Muslim to win a Nobel Prize in Physics (1979) for his work on unifying fundamental forces, whose brilliance was tragically overshadowed by geopolitical and religious marginalization.

• Invisible Particles: Reimagines the largely erased history of India’s first woman physicist, Bibha Chowdhuri, detailing her fierce battle against institutional patriarchy, social prejudice, and colonial injustice while hunting for the elusive meson particle.

Why this book is a must-have:

• Acclaimed Praise: Endorsed by celebrated actor and intellectual Naseeruddin Shah for highlighting authentic scientific heritage.

• Unique Theatrical Format: A rare and engaging collection of science-history plays that merge dramatic storytelling with real historical physics.

• Deeply Inspiring Themes: Explores perseverance, gender equality in STEM, academic rivalry, and the human cost of scientific discovery.

• Essential Non-Fiction & Drama: A must-have for lovers of history, science biographies, theater, and modern South Asian literature.

Explore the triumphs of science and human resilience. Add Encounters with Infinity to your collection at Beetle Bookshop today—enjoy 10–14% off and Free Shipping on orders above ₹500!