Reading article “Ramanujan and Janaki had perfect equation” took me back to AV issue of 3rd November 2001 where my article “Ramanujan, Indian formula man who took Cambridge by storm.” was published.
After watching mathematician genius Srinivasa Ramanujan documentary on Channel Four, one devoted reader’s (Jyoti Shah) thirst for knowledge overtook her curiosity. Being writer/columnist, tackling various subjects, she urged me to research, write and publicise this shy, mysterious figure Ramanujan, giving him respect and accolade he richly deserved.
In turn I urged my knowledgeable followers to give me as much information as they could and surely I was not disappointed. It came in by bucket-full and as a result, I was able to write a piece, “Ramanujan, The Indian Formula Man who took Cambridge by storm.” There was enough information to turn it into mini-book which now I feel I should have written, especially to give his wife Janky Ammal the recognition she deserved who passed away at ripe old age of 94.
Ramanujan was natural born mathematician, 50 years ahead of his time who could solve and formulate mathematical puzzles no one else could. Even world’s prominent professors based at world’s best learning institutions were at loss to understand, decode and explain his theories even 22 years after his untimely death. This was “Eastern Magic” at its best!
No wonder Robert Kanigel’s book on Ramanujan is called “The Man Who Knew Infinity.”
Bhupendra M. Gandhi
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