The Man Who Knew Infinity: A Life of the Genius Ramanujan

“All the World Seemed Young Again”

As the war came to a close, there were signs that Ramanujan’s health was improving. Colleagues began discussing his return to India. Hardy made a visit to Ramanujan at a nursing home, and Kanigel describes a very famous anecdote involving his taxicab number, 1729. Prior to his return home, Ramanujan had been offered, and had accepted, a professorship at the university in Madras. In the time between the armistice and his departure, Ramanujan worked through his illness, and it was clear that his mathematical acumen had not diminished. Meanwhile, his reputation in India grew and became legendary. In April 1919, he made the return voyage to his native land.

Return to the Cauvery

Ramanujan was met upon his arrival in India by his mother and brother, but not by his wife. Komalatammal wanted to bring Ramanujan to a temple for a purification ceremony, but she decided against it because he was visibly ill. When he was finally reunited with Janaki, they forged an actual husband-and-wife relationship. Ramanujan had left India when she was 13, and now that she was 18, their relationship proceeded as a married couple. They spoke frequently, and Ramanujan was kind to her.