Even before he broke his latest world record this week – for the world’s largest pop-up greetings card – Ramkumar Sarangapani held the title of the individual with the highest number of Guinness World Records in the UAE.
The businessman, who moved to Dubai from Chennai in 2003, has broken 19 world records thus far. Some of these include: the largest magnet word, spelling “Dubai”; largest banknotes mosaic, emblazoned with “I Love UAE”; longest line of dice, in the shape and colours of the UAE flag; and largest electronic greetings card, which was created on the 49th National Day last December.
The UAE, evidently, plays a starring role in his creations. The founder and chief executive of Numisbing Corporation says his ultimate goal is to break 100 world records in his lifetime. Never one to aim low, he also hopes Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid, Vice President and Ruler of Dubai, accepts his latest record-breaking creation as a gift. After all, Sarangapani's pop-up greetings card is dedicated to the leader, featuring a collage of his paintings created by Dubai's artist-to-the-royals Akbar Saheb.
Sarangapani talks to The National about his motivation, method, madness and more.
What inspires your passion for breaking records?
Not many countries are as keen about breaking world records as the UAE. The Emirates currently holds more world records than the other GCC countries combined. Quite simply, my passion for breaking world records was inspired by the UAE's passion for superlatives.
Is this why you reference the UAE in most of your creations?
Of the 19 world records I have broken so far, 14 are based on and dedicated to the UAE. There is no theme required to break one or two world records, but as I have decided to break multiple, I thought a theme was essential. It's a trend many record breakers across the globe follow. People break records based on themes like fitness, food, a sport and so on. My core theme is the largest or longest, an inspiration I drew from the country itself. [Having said that, Sarangapani also created the world's smallest playing cards, which he's now looking to produce commercially.]
How did the ideas germinate for your latest two victories, and what went behind their creation?
About six months ago, I got the approval to attempt the largest electronic greetings card and largest pop-up greetings card. I was just waiting for right occasion to connect these to the UAE. On the 49th National Day, I attempted the first, which measures 12 square metres, and the card plays the UAE National Anthem when it opens.
The next big event was the 15th Accession day of Ruler of Dubai Sheikh Mohammed, so I contacted artist Akbar Saheb – who has created more than 30 paintings related to Sheikh Mohammed’s achievements over the past 25 years – to use his paintings for the card, which he accepted. We worked for two months to complete the attempt for largest pop-up greetings card.
Can you walk us through the day you broke six records?
It all happened in fewer than eight hours on November 18, but the planning phase started a month before. I was not sure how many records I could break, but I wanted to give it my best shot and test my limits. The right mind set and flawless execution were a must. The list of records, the sequence, the arrangement for a witness and surveyor were all planned ahead. I started the day with meditation and went to Numisbing Gallery, where all my records were attempted, and started on the first at 8am.
I took a break of 10 to 15 minutes between each, for water or a quick snack, and finished at 3.50pm. I was physically exhausted, but mentally satisfied at my achievement.
Next it took six hours to upload all the evidence to Guinness World Records before the end of the day. I returned home by 11pm to find that Guinness had verified three records on the 18th itself, and the other three were announced the next day. There are no words to describe the happiness I felt on that day with this 100 per cent success rate.
Is that how you spent the time required to stay and work from home owing to the pandemic?
I spent my time taking care of my fitness and attempting those Guinness World Records for which I had got the approvals over the past three years. If there were no pandemic, I would not have thought of creating so many records. In the unusual year we’ve had, many individuals used their free time [creatively]. This is how I used mine.
Do you think niche records are as prestigious as more monumental ones?
Every successful Guinness World Records means you are the only person who has achieved that level of height under that particular record title. That is, you have done something that eight billion people living in the world have not. So every record is prestigious and we cannot underestimate any. Some may look silly, but only when someone tries them, will they know how hard they are.
What record by a fellow UAE resident are you most impressed by?
Most world records in the UAE are broken by institutes, say Abu Dhabi or Dubai police, Global Village or educational organisations; very few are held by individuals. Among these, I was impressed by the record held by Eva Clarke, a resident of Abu Dhabi. [Clarke has broken 16 Guinness World Records, including three on the same day in 2016, for most pull-ups in 24 hours for a female, at 3,737 reps; most pull-ups in an hour for a female, at 725 reps; and most pull-ups in 12 hours for a female, with 2,740 reps.]
What is one record you would love to break in an ideal world?
As a numismatist, I love world records related to banknotes. My fantasy record is to put together the largest legal banknote. Unfortunately, I am not allowed to attempt this as it's the prerogative of central banks. But I would be really happy if the Central Bank of the UAE breaks this record to commemorate the 50th Anniversary of the country's formation. Currently this record is held by Bank Negara Malaysia.
The world’s largest pop-up greetings card and largest electronic greetings card are on display at Numisbing Art Gallery, Dubai, until Monday, January 18
