Nilakantha Somayaji
Nilakantha Somayaji | |
|---|---|
| Born | 14 June 1444 |
| Died | 1544 |
| Other names | Kelallur Comatiri |
| Occupation | Astronomer-mathematician |
| Known for | Authorship of Tantrasamgraha |
| Notable work | Golasara, Candrachayaganita, Aryabhatiya-bhashya, Tantrasamgraha |
| Title | Somayaji |
| Spouse | Arya |
| Children | Rama, Dakshinamurti |
| Parent | Jatavedan (father) |
Keļallur Nīlakaṇṭha Somayāji (14 June 1444 – 1544), also referred to as Keļallur Comatiri, was a mathematician and astronomer of the Kerala school of astronomy and mathematics. One of his most influential works was the comprehensive astronomical treatise Tantrasamgraha completed in 1501. He had also composed an elaborate commentary on Aryabhatiya called the Aryabhatiya Bhasya. In this Bhasya, Nilakantha had discussed infinite series expansions of trigonometric functions and problems of algebra and spherical geometry. Grahapariksakrama is a manual on making observations in astronomy based on instruments of the time.