Mathematics and music, two worlds that rarely meet, defined the extraordinary life of Conjeevaram Srirangachari Seshadri, one of India’s greatest mathematicians. Awarded the Padma Bhushan in 2009 and elected a Fellow of the Royal Society in 1988, Seshadri’s contributions went far beyond research papers and theorems. He built institutions, inspired generations, and proved that passion can overcome any constraint, financial or institutional. 

His life’s work, including the famous Atiyah–Seshadri Theorem, continues to influence algebraic geometry and the global mathematical community. But beyond the equations, his greatest legacy was the creation of a space where mathematics could flourish in India—the Chennai Mathematical Institute (CMI).

The Humble Beginnings of a Genius

Born on 29 February 1932 in the temple town of Kanchipuram, Tamil Nadu, Seshadri was the eldest of eleven children—a “cricket team,” as he fondly described. His father, C. Srirangachari, was a respected advocate, but resources were limited. Despite these humble beginnings, Seshadri’s mind was drawn to abstract ideas and logic. At Loyola College, Chennai, destiny played its part. His algebra professor, Father Charles Racine, a Jesuit who had studied under the great French mathematician Élie Cartan, introduced him to modern algebra and French mathematical thought. This exposure to the works of Claude Chevalley and Jean-Pierre Serre opened new intellectual worlds for young Seshadri.

A Spark of Brilliance in France

After earning his B.A. (Hons.) in Mathematics in 1953, Seshadri joined the Tata Institute of Fundamental Research (TIFR) in Mumbai, where he completed his Ph.D. in 1958. But even before his doctorate, he had already made a mark on the world stage.  In 1957, during a visit to France, the young Indian mathematician encountered Jean-Pierre Serre, one of the most influential figures in algebraic geometry. Serre posed a challenging problem, later known as Serre’s Conjecture, to the visiting group. To everyone’s astonishment, Seshadri solved it almost instantly. This moment became a defining point in his career, announcing his arrival on the global mathematical map.

The Birth of an Institution Builder

Seshadri’s career at TIFR’s School of Mathematics spanned over three decades (1953–1984), where he shaped India’s research in pure mathematics. But his true genius lay not just in solving theorems but in building institutions from the ground up. After leaving TIFR, Seshadri joined the Institute of Mathematical Sciences (IMSc) in Chennai and later, in 1989, accepted an invitation from the SPIC Science Foundation to establish a new center of excellence, a “School of Mathematics” that would evolve into the Chennai Mathematical Institute (CMI). 

What began as a small research center with barely any infrastructure soon became a symbol of mathematical learning. Seshadri’s leadership was marked by creativity and conviction. When financial difficulties threatened the institute in the late 1990s, his innovative solution was to introduce undergraduate and postgraduate programs. This model not only sustained CMI but also made it self-reliant, a rare achievement in Indian academia.

CMI: A Legacy of Excellence

Today, the Chennai Mathematical Institute stands among India’s finest educational institutions, attracting the brightest minds in mathematics, computer science, and physics. It represents Seshadri’s lifelong dream: a place where young scholars could pursue mathematics without barriers, guided by curiosity and rigor. His former student and colleague Vikraman Balaji, now a professor at CMI, recalls, “Seshadri had this capacity where he would do something harder than the crisis demanded.” That stubborn persistence—a blend of intellectual discipline and unshakeable belief—became the foundation of CMI’s success.

An Enduring Legacy

C.S. Seshadri passed away on 17 July 2020, at the age of 88. His passing was mourned across India’s academic and scientific circles. Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed his condolences. C.S. Seshadri’s story is more than a biography of a mathematician; it’s the story of India’s academic awakening in the field of pure mathematics. From solving Serre’s conjecture to building CMI from scratch, his life shows what unwavering passion and intellectual integrity can achieve. 

He believed that mathematics was not just a subject but a language of truth and beauty, one that could be taught, shared, and celebrated even in the most challenging circumstances. And in doing so, he gave India not just an institution but a lasting inspiration.