Gargi Lather
the artist
Indian Institute of Technology Madras, India
Gargi Lather is a mathematician from India who works on the theoretical foundations of algebraic combinatorics, combinatorial commutative algebra, and spectral graph theory.
the artwork
उद्धरेदात्मनात्मानम्
Sanskrit - Elevate yourself by yourself - 2025 - acrylic paints, gesso primer, and protective varnish on wood
5 days - 0 hours - 0 minutes
audio commentary
The Sanskrit phrase “Uddharedātmanātmānam”—”Elevate yourself by yourself”—perfectly embodies my fascination with mathematical growth. Like the Fibonacci sequence, where each term builds upon its predecessors, personal development follows this same recursive pattern of self-improvement. I chose a flower because nature unconsciously obeys mathematical laws—spiral arrangements optimize space and light. Each petal represents the infinite journey of learning, where past knowledge becomes the foundation for new discoveries, mirroring life’s beautiful mathematical harmony.
Gargi Lather
mathematics in Indian culture
India’s Sanskrit tradition weaves mathematical insight into its spiritual texts. The Bhagavad Gita—source of my artwork “उद्धरेदात्मनात्मानम्”—uses the Anushtubh meter’s 32-syllable pattern and encodes the golden ratio at its climax. Centuries before the West, Pingala uncovered binary systems and Pascal’s triangle via poetic meter. This algebraic genius shapes temple fractal geometries and mandalas, reflecting recursive algorithms. As Gargi, I honor philosopher Gargi Vāchaknavī, whose questions show mathematical truth and self-elevation are inseparable.