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

Janaki

Komalatammal began searching for a bride for Ramanujan. In 1908, while she was visiting Rajendram, a village some 60 miles from Kumbakonam, she noticed a nine-year-old girl named Janaki. Eventually, Komalatammal negotiated with the girl’s family, and the wedding was arranged. Though this kind of child bride arrangement was common practice in India at the time, the couple was not allowed to live together until the girl reached puberty. That left a period of time during which Ramanujan would need to find work and get his life sorted out. The wedding took place, and it was not a success. A fire broke out, which many saw as a bad omen.

Door-to-Door

Ramanujan, newly married, sought employment. At first, he believed he could make money as a tutor, but soon his reputation of teaching way over the heads of his pupils preceded him, and he did not have many interested students. Ramanujan was transient during this time of his life, visiting one place after the next in search of work. Indian society at the time was structured so that networking was an important factor for a person seeking a good job. Ramanujan did just this in hopes that eventually he would land something.