Many of us are familiar with the name Srinivasa Ramanujan and his black and white photograph. He was one of India’s brightest mathematicians. In this episode we dive into his life – from struggling to pass college in Tamil Nadu to reaching the hallowed halls of Cambridge. Ramanujan’s notebooks scribbled with theorems that he discovered continue to frustrate whole generations of mathematicians, who were forever underestimating the sheer density of mathematical riches they contained.
This is also the story of the unusual and profound relationship he had with British Mathematician G.H. Hardy. Hardy, who recognised and honed his genius. The two couldn’t have been more different. Hardy, a confirmed atheist while Ramanujan believed that his unique mathematical abilities were God given. Hardy drilled into him the importance of proof. The two worked together for seven-years at Cambridge. Ramanujan died on 26 April 1920 at the age of 33.
The Rearview is a podcast where the hosts guide you on a scenic route through the history of science. Filled with fascinating anecdotes, deep archival dives, and a closer look at the quirky minds behind groundbreaking ideas.
Hosts: Sobhana K Nair and Jacob Koshy
Produced and edited by Jude Francis Weston
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Published – October 06, 2025 07:54 pm IST
