The three notebooks of mathematician Srinivasa Ramanujan are being microfilmed to enable research scholars access the enduring works of the genius in his own handwriting.
The 100-year old library of the University of Madras, which has preserved the notebooks, has entered into an agreement with the Institute of Mathematical Sciences (IMSc), Chennai, to publicise the works of the mathematician.
Accordingly, the note books are being microfilmed by Roja Muthiah Library.
“Five copies will be taken. While one copy of the microfilm along with the original manuscripts will be kept in the university library, the other copies will be given to IMSc, Tata Institute of Fundamental Research, Mumbai; Roja Muthiah Library and Connemara Library,” says G. Thiruvasagam, Vice-Chancellor, University of Madras.
Significant works
“A hundred years may have passed. Yet, Ramanujan's works are certainly significant. Still, mathematicians are working out what exactly his works mean, especially on number theory,” says R. Balasubramanian, Director, IMSc, Chennai.
“At present, we have completed microfilming of only a limited version as the copyright is with the university.” Says Mr. Thiruvasagam: “The three notebooks will be microfilmed. We want all researchers to access these valuable works.” Says K. Parthasarathy, director and head, Ramanujan Institute for Advanced Study in Mathematics, University of Madras: “Ramanujan has written down formulae after formulae in these handwritten manuscripts. It has taken the use of modern mathematics to prove his mathematical works… . One can only wonder how Ramanujan thought of them first of all.”
Two decades ago, the university library had laminated all the pages in the notebooks to preserve them.
The university and IMSc also have plans to restore the manuscripts to its original status as the value of notebooks is unmatched.
Keywords: Ramnujan's works, manuscript restoration
Two CD ROMs on the "Life and Work of Srinivasa Ramanujan" were developed by The Institute of Mathematical Sciences, Chennai and by the National Multimedia Resource Center of the Center for Development of Advanced Computing, Pune. This Project was sponsored by the Department of Science and Technology, Government of India, with the Concept & Design of contents by Dr. K. Srinivasa Rao, Senior Professor (Retd.), IMSc. and Director, Srinivasa Ramanujan Academy of Maths Talent. This two and a half-year, Rs. 20 Lakh Project commenced in Dec. 2002 and completed by April 2005. The CD ROMs were released by Dr. V.S. Ramamurthy, Secretary DST in New Delhi, on December 22, 2005 and at CLRI, Chennai, where Dr. M. S. Ananth, received the first copy of the CD ROMs from Dr.T. Ramaswami, Secretary DST. Copies can be had from Vigyan Prasar, New Delhi. The CD ROMs contain: 39 Collected Papers of Ramanujan, his Ramanujan original Notebooks and his 59 Questions in the Journal of the Indian Math Society.
Ramanujan's life is inspiring for all those who wants to explore beauty and elegance of mind. It is a matter of pride for all Indians. It should also help us to protect young talents, as Ramanujan himself was on the verge of getting lost due to lack of opportunity in our country.
A very laudable effort
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