Gopalakrishnan ‘Gopal’ Varadhan was known as a mathematical musician.  He played his acoustic guitar as a teenager, eventually starting a band, City Beat, whilst at the Bronx High School of Science, cutting a record and playing at a number of clubs in New York.  The band is well remembered by other alumni, including their signature song called ‘Rockin’ Mesopotamia’ and the appearance of a City Beat graffiti tag appearing around the school.

Gopal has been described as ‘an uncommon man, a perfect mix of masculinity and sensitivity. Gopal had a great sense of humor and was very caring. ‘ by Vera Horn, an ex-colleague during his time at Chemical Investment Group.

On Aug 7th, 2001, Cantor Fitzgerald announced that Gopal had been appointed as the first Managing Director of it’s Interest Rate Derivatives devision in the U.s.overseeing all the interest derivative products, including swaps, options and futures. Cantor said they were ‘gratified to have someone of Gopal’s caliber join the firm.”

The mathematical skills which earned him this job can be traced back to his parents, Professor Sathamangalam Ranga Iyengar Srinivasa Varadhan who was the recipient of the 2007 Abel prize and his mother Vasundra Varadhan, a professor at the University of New York.  They also have another son, Ashok.

Gopal was just 32 years old when he died in the attacks on the World Trade Center on September 11th, 2001.  May he rest in eternal peace.

For further reading about this astounding man, please go to:

story South

The NY TImes – Profiles of Grief

Legacy.com – Guest book.

Mutiny – Prof. SRS Varadhan: 2007 Abel prize winner