Shakuntala Devi Biography, career, Early Life, Net worth, Age 2025

Shakuntala Devi Biography – Shakuntala Devi- Biography Shakuntala Devi (4 November 1929 – 21 April 2013) was an Indian mathematical genius who could perform the most difficult calculations in her head faster than any computer of her time. The world called her the “Human Computer”. She multiplied two 13-digit numbers in just 28 seconds, found cube roots in the blink of an eye, and amazed scientists, professors, and audiences across the globe.

Born in a simple family in Bangalore, she never went to school in the usual way, yet she became one of the most famous minds of the 20th century. Apart from mathematics, she wrote many books, spoke openly about social issues, and inspired millions of people to love numbers. This article tells her real story in a simple and clear way.

Early Life

Shakuntala Devi was born on 4 November 1929 in Bangalore, Karnataka, into a Kannada Brahmin family. Her father, C K Krishnamoorthy, worked as a trapeze artist, lion tamer, tightrope walker, and magician in a travelling circus. Her mother’s name was Anupama Devi. The family was poor and lived a simple life.

When Shakuntala was only three years old, her father was teaching card tricks to earn extra money. While playing cards with him, she started remembering every card perfectly. Soon she began beating him in the game. Her father quickly understood that his little daughter had an unusual gift for numbers and memory.

By the age of five, she could calculate big numbers in her mind. At six years old, she gave her first public show at the University of Mysore. The professors were shocked because she had never been to school, yet she solved every problem correctly and instantly.

Education

Shakuntala Devi had almost no formal education. She did not attend primary school or high school like other children. Her father became her first teacher and manager. He took her from city to city to show her talent. Roads, trains, and circus tents became her classroom. She learned mathematics by practising every day on stage in front of thousands of people.

Later, many universities and scientists tested her abilities, but she never needed certificates or degrees. Her real education came from life experience and constant practice.

Career

Shakuntala’s career started at the age of six with shows in India. In 1944, when she was fifteen, her father took her to London. There she performed in front of large audiences and on BBC radio. From Europe she travelled to many countries including the United States, Canada, Australia, Japan, and Hong Kong.

Some of her most famous performances include:

• In 1977 at Southern Methodist University, Dallas, she found the 23rd root of a 201-digit number in only 50 seconds.
• On 18 June 1980 at Imperial College London, she multiplied two 13-digit numbers (7,686,369,774,870 × 2,465,099,745,779) correctly in 28 seconds. This achievement was recorded in the 1982 Guinness Book of World Records.
• In 1988, psychologist Arthur Jensen from the University of California, Berkeley, tested her and confirmed that her speed was real and not a trick.

She performed on television, radio, and in universities for almost 60 years. Even in the 1990s and 2000s she continued giving lectures and writing books.

Literary Contributions

Shakuntala Devi was not only a calculator; she was also a talented writer. She wrote more than 15 books. Some of the important ones are:

• Figuring: The Joy of Numbers (1977) – a simple guide to learn fast mental mathematics.
• Puzzles to Puzzle You – a collection of mathematical puzzles for students.
• Book of Numbers – explains interesting facts about numbers.
• Astrology for You – a popular book on astrology.
• The World of Homosexuals (1977) – one of the first books in India that spoke openly and kindly about homosexuality. She wrote it after learning that her husband was gay.
• Perfect Murder – a crime novel.
• In the Wonderland of Numbers – a story book that makes mathematics fun for children.

Her books have been translated into many languages and are still used by students and teachers today.

Personal Life

In the early 1960s, Shakuntala married Paritosh Banerji, an officer of the Indian Administrative Service (IAS) from Kolkata. They had one daughter named Anupama Banerji. In the late 1970s, the marriage ended in divorce when Shakuntala discovered that her husband was homosexual. She accepted the truth with understanding and wrote the book The World of Homosexuals to support gay people at a time when almost nobody in India spoke about the topic.

After the divorce, she brought up her daughter alone. She lived mostly in Bangalore in her later years. She loved cooking South Indian food, reading, and spending time with family and friends. She was known to be warm, humorous, and straightforward.

Achievements

Here are some of her biggest achievements:

• Entered the Guinness Book of World Records in 1982 for the fastest multiplication of two 13-digit numbers.
• Correctly calculated the 23rd root of a 201-digit number in 50 seconds (1977).
• Tested and verified by famous psychologist Arthur Jensen in 1988.
• Received the “Distinguished Woman Award” by the University of Philippines in 1969.
• Honoured with the Ramanujan Mathematical Genius Award in 1988 in Washington D.C.
• Google celebrated her 84th birthday with a special Google Doodle on 4 November 2013.

Legacy and Cultural Impact

Shakuntala Devi passed away on 21 April 2013 in Bangalore at the age of 83 due to heart and kidney problems. Even after her death, her name continues to inspire people.

• Thousands of children in India and around the world learn mental maths using her techniques.
• Many schools and coaching centres teach “Vedic Maths” and “Devi-style” shortcuts because of her influence.
• In 2020, a Hindi movie titled Shakuntala Devi was released on Amazon Prime, starring Vidya Balan. The film introduced her story to a new generation.
• Every year on 4 November, people remember her through competitions, workshops, and social media posts.
• She proved that girls from ordinary families can achieve greatness with talent and hard work.
• She spoke for women’s education and for the rights of the LGBTQ+ community long before it became common in India.

Her life shows that the human mind can do wonders when it is trained with love and curiosity.

Conclusion

Shakuntala Devi was much more than a “Human Computer”. She was a daughter, mother, writer, social thinker, and above all a kind and brave woman who lived life on her own terms. She turned numbers into magic and fear of mathematics into joy for millions of people. Her story teaches us that real genius does not always need a classroom – it needs passion, practice, and courage. Today, whenever someone calculates quickly in their head, a little part of Shakuntala Devi is still alive.

 FAQs

Who was Shakuntala Devi?

She was an Indian mathematical genius known as the “Human Computer”.

When and where was she born?

She was born on 4 November 1929 in Bangalore, Karnataka, India.

Did Shakuntala Devi go to school?

No, she had almost no formal schooling. She learned everything through practice and experience.

What is her most famous world record?

In 1980 she multiplied two 13-digit numbers correctly in 28 seconds and entered the Guinness Book of Records.

How did she calculate so fast?

She had a natural gift and practised daily from childhood. She saw numbers in a special way in her mind.

How many books did she write?

She wrote more than 15 books on mathematics, puzzles, astrology, and social topics.

When did Shakuntala Devi die?

She died on 21 April 2013 in Bangalore at the age of 83.

Is there a movie about her life?

Yes, a movie named Shakuntala Devi starring Vidya Balan was released in 2020.

Why is she still remembered today?

Because she made mathematics fun, inspired girls to study STEM subjects, and spoke bravely about important social issues.