by Rachana Mirpuri

He can carry a conversation solely in numbers with his wife, especially when they’re in public and don’t want people to understand. He can memorize a 400-digit binary number and entirely recall it, forwards and backwards. He can even solve a Rubik’s cube in less than 90 seconds, and memorize the sequence of a deck of playing cards. The best part is, with his techniques and training, anyone can have an amazing memory too.  Meet Singapore-based Nishant Kasibhatla – proud holder of official title “Grand Master of Memory”.

It was in the year of 1996 when Nishant‘s father came home and showed him and his younger brother Anand a very interesting memory demonstration. He impressed his sons by memorizing a list of 30 words in a very short time. His father then taught them a few simple techniques (which he had read in a book) and after studying and practicing memory techniques, the Kasibhatla sons became proficient and started entering competitions.

More successful, Nishant was the first Indian to compete in the 1999 World Memory Championships (WMC) held in London. He holds Indian records for having memorized a 1,944-digit number and a 705-digit binary code. In addition, he received the honor of holding a World Record for his forwards and backwards recall of a 400-digit binary number in addition to memorizing random words, poems, and so on. The highlight, though, is when Nishant was awarded the lifetime title “Grand Master of Memory” in 2003 by Tony Buzan, the inventor of “Mind Maps” and organizer of the WMC. This honor was given for memorizing the sequence of eight decks of playing cards in sixty minutes; remembering a number consisting of 800 digits in an hour; and narrating the sequence of a single deck in one minute, 51 seconds.

On a recent trip to Hong Kong with his wife Rakhi, Nishant Kasibhatla caught up with Rachana Mirpuri and discussed memory techniques, his training workshops and his goals for the future.

BSM: How did you train yourself and how long did it take to develop your skill?

NK: I trained myself by using the techniques of visualization and association. These are essential skills to train ones memory. As mentioned, it only took me a couple of days to start seeing positive difference in the way I memorised information. However, it took me more than 3 years to get my “Grand Master of Memory” title.

BSM: What practical applications does this have?

NK: To be able to remember things for a long time is an asset for people from all walks of life. A student can remember his text books. Many students who have learnt these techniques from me have topped their schools.

A businessman can remember the names and faces of his clients and also important statistical data. Others can save a lot of time and energy by remembering where they placed their belongings (like mobile phone, watch, wallet, documents etc).

The ability to remember better also helps companies. I have conducted several training programs for corporate houses. After the training, the participants improved their memory phenomenally in areas such as remembering names and faces, speeches and presentations, statistical data, key business facts, product details, rules, procedures, policies etc. As you can see, this helps them to save time and improve their productivity.

BSM: How do you upload so much memory in such a short time?

NK: Research indicates that the human brain has an unlimited capacity to memorise information.  By trying to understand how the human brain works and how it stores information…

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