SRINIVASA RAMANUJAN – Another obscure Indian genius.
A mathematician of extraordinary genius lived hardly 33 years (1887-1920). He neither had formal education nor formal training in mathematical formulas. His talent, a treasure, remained undiscovered in India but was discovered abroad.
The treasure in him was discovered for the world, by none other than Prof. G.H. Hardy of Trinity College, Cambridge. England, a great English mathematician himself. Prof. Hardy, while rating geniuses on a scale of 100, put most of them in the range of 30, giving the rating of 60 to the rare exception. For Ramanujan, Prof. Hardy suggested only the value of 100.
David Leavitt, an author of many books, has now brought out a book entitled, THE INDIAN CLERK, on the life of this genius, already released in USA but to be released in India in October, 2007. The price of the book is approx. Rs. 1,000. The first print of 50,000 copies had a raving review in ENTERTAINMENT WEEKLY which says: "profoundly moving"
There will be three films on this great genius, two by foreigners and, one by Dev Benegal, Indian Producer.
In London, the play, A DISAPPEARING NUMBER, a Theater troupe now focuses on Hardy`s and Ramajujan`s work.
Prof. Hardy addressed a gathering at Harvard University in August, 1936 when he mentioned the following about Srinavasa Ramanujan:
Quote
Ramanujan was my discovery. I did not invent him – like other great men, he invented himself. But I was the really competent person who had the chance to see some of his work, and I can still remember with satisfaction that I could recognize at once what a treasure I had found., and I suppose I still know more of Ramanujan than anyone else, and I still the first authority on this particular subject.
I saw him and talked with him almost everyday for several years, and above all, I actually collaborated with him. I owe more to him than anyone else in the world.
Unquote
Prof. G.H. Hardy took unknown Ramanujan to England when the latter sought Professor`s help.
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