Often referred to as the Human Computer Shakuntala Devi first gave evidence of her mathematical genius when she was three years old. She had no formal education and simply picked up reading and writing. In 1981, she appeared in the Guineas Book of World Records for multiplying two 13-digit numbers in 28 seconds! She has written on a variety of subjects and her published work includes books for children and a crime novel, Perfect Murder.

When was the first time you realised that you had a special gift for mathematical calculations?
I never realised that I had any special talent. I just started doing these things as entertainment. My father used to perform magic tricks in schools and colleges and I would often accompany him. I was doing these tricks in numbers as part of the show. I never realised when it became a full-time obsession.

What was your parents' reaction when you started showing more than an interest in mathematics?
They didn't realise much as they were both uneducated. But they were very happy as I was earning a living for the family.

Tell us a little about your childhood.

I was born in Bangalore. There are no pleasant memories of my childhood. Those were very difficult days. I wasn't sure if I could have my next meal. I used to hate myself for having to slog for my meals. I wanted to go to school much like other girls my age, play with them and lead a carefree life. But that was not meant to be. The entire family depended on my earnings from shows where I regaled the audiences with my mathematical tricks. But as I grew older I rested on the fact that this is what I was destined to do.
As a child, I toured all over India exhibiting my talent not only in numbers but telling the exact day of the week of any date, month, year of the past or future. I also took my first tour of Europe in 1950 when I was barely eight.

With no formal education how did you go on to become the wizardess of mathematics?
Even though I don't have any formal education I have authored 14 books in English. One of them is titled 'Awaken The Genius In Your Child.' So I feel formal education is not absolutely necessary. If you have basic common sense and tremendous exposure things just come from within you.

Can you share with us a memorable moment?
I remember this incident very vividly. I was invited by BBC to demonstrate my mathematical prowess. It was a live programme. Within seconds of hearing the problem posed to me, I was able to tell the interviewer that the problem was worked out wrong. The interviewer did a quick check-up and confessed that BBC's calculation was wrong. Similarly, when I was giving a demonstration at the University of Rome, I proved that the machine was wrong and I was right!

What apart from mathematical calculations interest you?
I love writing. In fact I have been writing short stories for children. Mind you it's not just mathematics that I write on. I have penned books on cooking. Of course most of my books deal with problems and shortcuts in mathematics. I also hold mathematical workshops for children in Hyderabad.

What are you currently working on?
I have just come up with a movie script based on mathematics.

A movie based on mathematics?

Yes, it's a proper Hindi, masala movie. A murder mystery.

You have numerous awards to your credit including an entry in the guineas Book of world records. What's next?

I feel I have done nothing in this world. I still have a lot more I want to do.

Like what?
First on the list is getting this movie produced. I am hoping that it will be an all-time classic that will live for hundreds and hundreds of years to come.

Then I want to establish a very big mathematical institute in Andhra Pradesh or Karnataka. That's my ambition in life.

Will there be another genius like you?
I can't answer that one. May be there will be. Depends on the motivation. For me it was all a question of motivation. The biggest motivation was my meals. Then as you go on doing something day in and day out you tend to improve yourself, work on it and then you begin to fall in love with it.

How do you better yourself?
I am a voracious reader. So that keeps me in tune with what's happening with the world. Sometimes I just close my eyes and try to relax. You might call that meditation but I simply call it unwinding.

Is mathematics a good career option?
Mathematics is something you have to be passionately fond of. You can't beat a child and make him interested in mathematics. It has to come from within.

Then why is mathematics such a dreaded subject for most students?
That's because it is so exact. 2+2 has to make 4. It can't make 5 or 6. It can't be anything else. That's why people are so scared of mathematics.

- Nivedita Jayaram Pawar