PENANG schoolgirl Poonyamitra Kumaresan, who recently set a Malaysian record for memorising and reciting the first 300 digits of pi in order, is eagerly anticipating Mother’s Day on May 10 — just eight days away.
The Form Two student at St George’s Girls School plans to give her mother, S. Thilagam, a full day of rest in appreciation for all the love, care, and support she has received — especially for playing a pivotal role in helping her achieve the record.
“I’ll take care of the household chores, do a manicure and pedicure for my Mum, and even give her a relaxing spa and massage myself. I also want to buy her some lipsticks with a bit of my savings because my Mum loves them,” Poonyamitra shared in an interview with Buletin Mutiara.
The 14-year-old expressed her gratitude to her family especially her mother and father, and teachers for their unwavering support.
She also thanked her friend, Iris Izara, for her steadfast encouragement, mentioning that she would treat Iris to ice cream to celebrate her victory.
“How I got interested in this mathematical challenge is because of my mother,” Poonyamitra explained. “She came across the Kids Got Talent Malaysia (Season 9) 2025 competition and encouraged me to take part. She always motivates me to join competitions and step out of my comfort zone.”
During the audition, Poonyamitra recited the alphabet in reverse. Not satisfied, she sought advice her cousin brother, M. Khiishan, who inspired her to take on an even greater challenge. This led her to memorise and recite the first 300 digits of pi, securing her victory in the competition on Feb 9.
“I’ve always loved numbers. Before the competition, I practised every day for nearly two months. I woke up early to memorise 10 digits daily, while balancing my studies. At first, it was difficult, but soon it became a routine,” she recalled.
Poonyamitra was later awarded the ‘Most Pi Recited From Memory by a Teenager’ accolade by the Malaysia Book of Records (MBOR). She received a laptop and a certificate of recognition at the launch of the Digitalisation of the Management System for Temples under the Penang Hindu Endowment Board (PHEB) 2026 at Sri Kunj Bihari Temple on April 19.
In addition to her MBOR achievement, Poonyamitra was a runner-up in the ASEAN World Records event, Rising Starz Icon 2025, and she also auditioned online for Season 21 of America’s Got Talent in January.
Pi (π) is the ratio of a circle’s circumference to its diameter, approximately equal to 3.14159. As an irrational number, its decimal expansion goes on infinitely without repeating. Pi plays a vital role in mathematics, science, and engineering, particularly in calculations involving circles and spheres.
In her primary education, Poonyamitra was the assistant head prefect of Methodist Girls School. At just 11 years old, she received an excellence award (Anugerah Pelajar Cemerlang) from Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow, and also a certificate of recognition from PHEB.
Asked what advice she would give to other teenagers, Poonyamitra said: “Don’t give up; believe in yourself and make sure you enjoy what you’re doing. Don’t force yourself into something.”
Poonyamitra’s mother, Thilagam, praised her daughter’s achievements, highlighting her hard work and discipline.
“I encourage her to take part in competitions for exposure. Whether she wins or loses doesn’t matter. I want her to focus and make the most of her time, and if she can, bring something back,” Thilagam shared.
Poonyamitra’s ambitions have kept changing over the years, but she is now interested in pursuing a career as either a forensic scientist or a neurosurgeon — both fields requiring sharp focus and exceptional memory skills.
Winning the MBOR award is a testament to her mental discipline and memory abilities, which will undoubtedly serve her well as she works towards her future goals.
Pix by Noor Siti Nabilah Noorazis & courtesy of S.Thilagam