Google honours 'Human Computer' Shakuntala Devi with calculator-styled doodle on her 84th birth anniversary
The Google India homepage paid
tribute to the astrologer, child prodigy and mental calculator.
Biography :
Born - 4 November 1929
Died - 21 April 2013
Very few people around the world achieved what this wonder-woman did. A
mathematical prodigy, also known as the 'human computer', Shakuntala Devi was
known for her complex problem-solving skills without the aid of any mechanical
device. During her early years, she shot to fame by mentally calculating one of
the toughest mathematical multiplications 10 seconds before the fastest and the
most efficient computer of the time. Her problem-solving prowess came to the
limelight with her performances at various institutions where she answered
complex mathematical questions with great ease. She soon rose to prominence for
her adept calculations and her confident demeanor. According to many sources,
this famous prodigy met Albert Einstein and even he was taken aback by this
acclaimed genius' skills. She was able to answer all of his challenging
mathematical problems, prompting him to call her a "Mathematical
Wizard". Apart from being an
unparalleled mathematician, Devi was also an
astrologer, activist and a prolific writer, whose works went on to inspire
millions of people. Some of her best-known works are 'Figuring: the Joy of
Numbers', 'Astrology for You', 'Perfect Murder' and 'The World of Homosexuals'.
Scroll further for more information on this intriguing personality.
Family Background & Early Years
Shakuntala Devi was born on November 4, 1929 in Bengaluru to an orthodox,
Brahmin Kannadiga family. Her father refused to become a priest and instead,
wanted to entertain others as a tight-rope walker. He thus became a circus
artist and 3-year-old Shakuntala used to accompany him to the circus and often
come back mesmerized with her father's performances. It was he who eventually
introduced her to the world of mathematics and taught her interesting card
tricks that initiated her love for numbers. News of her ability to solve
difficult mathematical problems soon spread like wildfire and she enthralled
audiences with her wit and card-tricks, while her father entertained them with
rope-walking. By the age of 6, she had her first major show at the University
of Mysore where she displayed her mathematical prowess by solving arithmetical
problems, mental math questions and finding out complex square roots and cube
roots within a few seconds. After a few more similar performances in a number
of other institutes, she found success at Annamalai University at the age of 8,
when she was finally acknowledged as a 'child prodigy'.
Recognition & Fame
Shakuntala Devi went for tours around the world through the 50s and performed
in a number of institutions, theaters and even appeared on television. On
September 27, 1973, she appeared on the BBC show, 'Nationwide' with the popular
Bob Wellings, who was stunned when she managed give the right answers to all
the mathematical questions that he bombarded her with. Gradually, her skills
and her fan-following grew substantially. In 1977, she received a standing
ovation from an audience of erudite mathematicians, when she gave the answer of
the 23rd root of a 201-digit number in 50 seconds. The most powerful computer
at the time, took exactly 62 seconds.
Unlike many other child prodigies, her mathematical skills did not wane in her
teenage and adult years. Back home, word spread that a young girl captivated
audiences with her adept mathematical skills and Devi soon became extremely
famous in India as well. Thereafter, she was invited to the Imperial College,
London, on June 18, 1980, where she answered a challenging problem in just a
few seconds leaving the audience baffled. The fame of this 16-year-old whiz-kid
grew manifold when she beat one of the world's fastest computers by 10 seconds,
while multiplying two 13-digit numbers in 28 seconds.
Major Works
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'Puzzles to Puzzle You' is considered one of
Shakuntala Devi's best works for aspiring and budding mathematicians. Critics
have rated this book as one of the best reads for people who want to excel in
the field of mathematics and master the secrets of the subject. A book meant
for starters, this publication sold over 6,000 copies in its first week and
continues to be an inspiration for many.
Awards & Achievements
Shakuntala Devi won the 'Distinguished Woman of
the Year Award' in 1969, from the University of Philippines along with a gold
medal.
Shakuntala Devi married Paritosh Banerjee, an IAS officer from Kolkata, in the
mid-1960s. The couple however, separated in 1979 and she returned to Bangalore
with her daughter during the 80s. She soon began offering astrological advice
to countless people, including celebrities and politicians. Towards the end of
her life, Devi grew frail and was admitted to various hospitals of Bangalore,
countless times. She was admitted to Bangalore Hospital on April 3 after she
complained of respiratory problems. Her health soon began to deteriorate after
her kidneys failed and she breathed her last on April 21, 2013. She is survived
by her daughter, son-in-law and two grand-children. She set up 'Educational
Foundation Public Trust' to promote mathematical, astrological and
philosophical studies in Bangalore.
Trivia
This famous Indian mathematician and 'Child
Prodigy' never attended school in her younger days, but grew up to become one
of the greatest mathematicians and authored a number of books on mathematics.
Died - 21 April 2013
Very few people around the world achieved what this wonder-woman did. A mathematical prodigy, also known as the 'human computer', Shakuntala Devi was known for her complex problem-solving skills without the aid of any mechanical device. During her early years, she shot to fame by mentally calculating one of the toughest mathematical multiplications 10 seconds before the fastest and the most efficient computer of the time. Her problem-solving prowess came to the limelight with her performances at various institutions where she answered complex mathematical questions with great ease. She soon rose to prominence for her adept calculations and her confident demeanor. According to many sources, this famous prodigy met Albert Einstein and even he was taken aback by this acclaimed genius' skills. She was able to answer all of his challenging mathematical problems, prompting him to call her a "Mathematical Wizard". Apart from being an
'Puzzles to Puzzle You' is considered one of
Shakuntala Devi's best works for aspiring and budding mathematicians. Critics
have rated this book as one of the best reads for people who want to excel in
the field of mathematics and master the secrets of the subject. A book meant
for starters, this publication sold over 6,000 copies in its first week and
continues to be an inspiration for many.Shakuntala Devi married Paritosh Banerjee, an IAS officer from Kolkata, in the mid-1960s. The couple however, separated in 1979 and she returned to Bangalore with her daughter during the 80s. She soon began offering astrological advice to countless people, including celebrities and politicians. Towards the end of her life, Devi grew frail and was admitted to various hospitals of Bangalore, countless times. She was admitted to Bangalore Hospital on April 3 after she complained of respiratory problems. Her health soon began to deteriorate after her kidneys failed and she breathed her last on April 21, 2013. She is survived by her daughter, son-in-law and two grand-children. She set up 'Educational Foundation Public Trust' to promote mathematical, astrological and philosophical studies in Bangalore.
Trivia
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Google honours 'Human Computer' Shakuntala Devi with calculator-styled doodle on her 84th birth anniversary
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