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“Without mathematics, there’s nothing you can do. Everything around you is mathematics. Everything around you is numbers.” – Shakuntala Devi

“At three, I fell in love with numbers. It was sheer ecstasy for me to do sums and get the right answers. Numbers were toys with which I could play.” – Shakuntala Devi

Shakuntala Devi

1. Shakuntala Devi was an extraordinary Indian mathematical genius, mental calculator and writer, popularly known as the ‘Human Computer’.
2. She was born on 4 November 1929 in Bengaluru, Karnataka, into a financially struggling Kannada Brahmin family.
3. Her father worked in a circus as a trapeze artist, tightrope walker and magician, rather than following his family’s traditional expectation that he become a temple priest.
4. Her extraordinary numerical abilities were discovered when she was just three years old, while her father was teaching her a card trick.
5. She received no formal education because her family could not afford her schooling, and much of her knowledge came through self-learning and reading.
6. Recognising her unusual talent, her father left his circus career to organise public performances showcasing her mathematical abilities.
7. At just six years old, she demonstrated her calculating skills at the University of Mysore.
8. She travelled to different countries from a very young age, presenting her extraordinary abilities before audiences at universities and public gatherings.
9. She could mentally calculate complicated mathematical problems, including large multiplications, cube roots and higher roots.
10. In 1988, psychologist Arthur Jensen studied her calculating abilities at the University of California, Berkeley, to understand how her mind processed numbers.
11. She was also exceptionally good at calendar calculations and could quickly determine the day of the week for a given date.
12. Apart from mathematics, she taught herself English and other languages and developed an interest in subjects beyond numbers.
13. In 1977, she contested against Indira Gandhi in the Lok Sabha elections from Medak constituency in Andhra Pradesh (now Telangana).
14. She was also a progressive thinker who wrote about homosexuality in India at a time when the subject was rarely discussed publicly.
15. She married Paritosh Banerji, an Indian Administrative Service officer, in 1964. They had a daughter named Anupama and later divorced in 1979.
16. Shakuntala Devi passed away on 21 April 2013 in Bengaluru, leaving behind an inspiring legacy of extraordinary mathematical talent and determination.

“I cannot transfer my abilities to anyone, but I can think of quicker ways with which to help people develop numerical aptitude.” – Shakuntala Devi

“I have a particular affection for zero because it was some of my countrymen who first gave it the status of a number.” – Shakuntala Devi

Books written by Shakuntala Devi

1. Figuring: The Joy of Numbers – Explores the beauty of mathematics and makes numerical calculations interesting and enjoyable.
2. The World of Homosexuals – One of India’s earliest books to discuss homosexuality, examining the subject from social and human perspectives.
3. Puzzles to Puzzle You – A collection of mathematical puzzles and brain teasers designed to challenge logical thinking.
4. More Puzzles to Puzzle You – Continues the fun of solving mathematical riddles and challenging puzzles.
5. Perfect Murder – A mystery novel showcasing her interest in fiction and storytelling.
6. Figuring Made Easy – Introduces mathematical concepts and calculation techniques in a simple and understandable manner.
7. Astrology for You – Explores astrology, horoscopes and their interpretations.
8. Mathematical Merry-Go-Round – Presents mathematics through entertaining problems, puzzles and numerical challenges.
9. The Book of Numbers – Explores interesting facts, patterns and properties of numbers.
10. The Blessed Fisherman and Other Stories – A collection of stories reflecting her interest in storytelling.
11. Tradition and Modernity Among Indian Women – Discusses the changing position of women in Indian society and the relationship between traditional values and modern ideas.
12. Awaken the Genius in Your Child – Encourages parents to recognise and nurture children’s natural abilities and intelligence.
13. Mathability: Awaken the Math Genius in Your Child – Explains ways to develop children’s mathematical abilities through enjoyable learning.
14. In the Wonderland of Numbers – Introduces children to the fascinating world of numbers through entertaining mathematical ideas.
15. Super Memory: It Can Be Yours! – Discusses memory development and techniques for improving one’s ability to remember information.

“Nobody challenges me. I challenge myself.” – Shakuntala Devi

✨Awards and Honors Received by Shakuntala Devi✨

1. 1969 – Distinguished Woman of the Year: Honoured by the University of the Philippines with a gold medal for her extraordinary mathematical abilities.

2. 1982 – Guinness Book of World Records: Her remarkable ability to multiply two 13-digit numbers mentally in 28 seconds earned her a place in the 1982 edition of the Guinness Book of World Records. Her official certificate was presented posthumously in 2020.

3. 1988 – Ramanujan Mathematical Genius Award: Received this prestigious recognition in Washington, D.C., for her exceptional mathematical talent and contributions to popularizing mathematics.

4. 2013 – Lifetime Achievement Award: Honoured in Mumbai shortly before her death in recognition of her remarkable contributions and lifetime achievements.

5. 2013 – Google Doodle Tribute: Google commemorated her 84th birth anniversary on 4 November 2013 with a special Google Doodle celebrating her extraordinary mathematical abilities.

“You develop a sympathy for all human beings when you travel a lot.” – Shakuntala Devi

Thank You,

Life is Beautiful😊 Have a great time😊😊