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Memory superman reigns
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As India's Memory Man enters the Guinness Book of Records, NANDINI NAIR chronicles his victory lap
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PHOTO: S. SUBRAMANIUM
THE CONQUEROR Biswaroop Roy Chowdhury promises to gift a Honda City Car to any Indian who manages to break his record by August 15
It has been a journey from `bhulakkad' (forgetful one) to Memory Man and Guinness Record Holder for Biswaroop Roy Chowdhury. Recently, in the Capital, he broke the existing memory record of Michaela Buchvaldova of Germany. He now holds the Guinness title for `Most birth dates memorised' in two minutes.
The event, held at Le Meridien, was only two minutes long but the suspense was rife and the excitement was obvious. Select luminaries and random spectators were seated in a semi-circle in front of the audience. They were instructed to write a name and birth date (not their own) on a large flash card.
A blindfolded and well-built Chowdhury then made his appearance. He ardently requested everyone to keep complete silence. He said mobile rings and the clicking of cameras would break his concentration. Stopwatches were handed over to the audience. At the given moment Chowdhury's blindfold was removed.
A record broken
He then slowly made his way down the line, stopping at each flashcard briefly. The sound of silence filled the hall. Concentration was writ large on his face. He would often tap his finger to his mouth. His lips moved in silent murmurs.
Chowdhury had reached the 14th person when the stopwatches completed two minutes. He was again blindfolded. He asked for a few minutes to revise the names and dates. His head nodded rhythmically as if he were listening to an inner music.
He then began reciting the names and birth dates in the correct sequential order, with slow and concerted precision. With each correct name and birth date the crowd realised they were witnessing a Guinness event.
He recited all 14 names and dates in the correct order. For the first time, Chowdhury looked relieved and soon ecstatic.
Secrets revealed
Of his victory he said, "My memory is as normal as anyone else but through memory techniques I have broken the record."
Asked about his methods he said that he started training 10 years ago only at the age of 23. He had wanted to change his reputation of being the `forgetful one'. He had read many ancient Hindu, Greek and Roman books. To improve his concentration he had taken to meditation.
His secret weapon he revealed was mnemonics. To him, names and numbers are images, complete with sound, taste and temperature. Asked for examples, he said to him `28' is an elephant. He remembered the names and birth dates through the power of association.
He is not possessive of his victory. He said he wanted to educate people on how to improve their memory. He has already written many books like, "Memory, Mind and Body Book", which details how one's memory capacity can be increased in two brief days.
He encouraged others to enter the memory fray. He promised to gift a Honda City Car to any Indian who manages to break his record by August 15 this year.
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