| Contributed by
Fr Joseph Varghese Kureethara
The protagonist , Piscine Molitor Patel, changed his name to “Pi” after the fascinating π in Mathematics. Patel is named Piscine Molitor after a monumental Swimming Pool Complex in France by his uncle. Fed up by being addressed as “Pissing,” young Patel decided to change his name. At the beginning of his higher secondary classes, just before his name being called out by the teacher, he went to the blackboard and wrote his name as “Pi Patel” and added below it, “π=3.14.” He then drew a large circle and sliced it into two pieces with a diameter.
He repeated this stunt with every teacher that day. Because of his sheer courage and desire and determination to have a better name, from then he was called “Pi” instead of “Pissing.” On the rechristening, Patel recounted, “And so, in that Greek letter that looks like a shack with a corrugated tin roof, in that elusive, irrational number with which scientists try to understand the universe, I found refuge.” (pp 23-24)
Legendary Hollywood director Ang Lee adapted Life of Pi to a 3D movie with the same name in 2012 which won four awards from eleven nominations at the 85th Academy Awards. In the movie adaptation, young Patel kept writing on the blackboard, digit after digit, the expansion of π from his memory. Virtually, the entire school thronged into the classroom and the boy rose into instant stardom with the name “Pi” as he wanted.
Keith Robinson of Twisting Yarn Theatre Company adapted as a play in 2003.
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