India, July 28 -- A video of former IIT Madras professor V Balakrishnan delivering a physics lecture has suddenly taken social media by storm. On X, where the video surfaced two days ago, people are praising his command over the subject as well as the clarity with which he communicated his thoughts - minus the help of any teaching aids like slides or notes.

The video was published online through the National Programme on Technology Enhanced Learning (NPTEL), India's national open courseware programme. Although IIT Madras alumni can already attest to Professor Balakrishnan's skills, the video has brought him into the limelight for the larger public as well.

Venkataraman Balakrishnan, also known as Professor Balki to his students, is an I...