His Students: Prof. Dr. Thiagarajan Sitharthan

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Prof. Dr. Thiagarajan Sitharthan

Dr. Thiagarajan (Raj) Sitharthan is Honorary Professor in the Department of Psychiatry, Faculty of Medicine, University of Sydney, Australia, Former Professor of Clinical Psychology, and Director of the Australian Center for Addiction Research.

Prof. Raj Sitharthan and his late wife, Dr. Gomathi Sitharthan, were students of Dr. K. V. Kaliappan at the University of Madras. In his condolence message below, he recalls his interactions with Dr. Kaliappan, and the one trait of his professor that always made an impression, even from the first time he met him nearly 40 years ago.

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​I was deeply shocked and saddened to find out that Prof. K. V. Kaliappan passed away. My wife Gomathi and I were his students at Madras University (1978 to 1981). We both did our M.A. (’78 – ‘80), followed by M. Phil (’80 – ’81), and Prof. KVK was my research supervisor for both my M.A. and M.Phil. theses. Later, Gomathi and I both left for Australia to continue further studies. While we maintained minimal contact earlier on, we drifted away after some time. 

Fortunately, we resumed contact in 2011-2013. Gomathi and I visited Prof. KVK and his wife, Prof. Kanthimathi Kaliappan, and we had some wonderful and memorable exchanges. We visited their house in Shenoy Nagar and went out to eat a few times (based on the recommendation of Prof. KVK). Prof. KVK was very pleased by our professional progress and spoke highly of us – just as a parent would talk about their children’s successes. He spoke to Gomathi about academia (as she was an academic at the University of Sydney) and with me on clinical topics. We spoke at length about starting a specific clinical psychology training programme in India and he provided pragmatic ideas. Later, I invited Prof. KVK to be a member of the Australian Centre for Addiction Research (ACAR) and he gladly accepted. See: http://www.acar.net.au/profile.asp

Unfortunately, my wife, Gomathi, was diagnosed with cancer in January 2014 and Prof. KVK was very supportive, assisting us during the dreadful ordeal we faced. He recommended books to read, told us how to lift our spirits, and most importantly gave us hope. Prof. KVK was the quintessential problem solver. This is what I remember of him from the time I met him in 1978. He would never be worried about any challenges or problems. He always possessed the “we can do” attitude. His optimism was infectious. People who knew him well always benefited from his vision and resilient personality.

Due to my wife’s illness and the laborious time spent in the hospital, we lost touch once again. I did contact him now and then but did not receive any response. Gomathi passed away on February 17, 2016 and I tried to inform Prof. KVK – without realising he had passed away on March 15, 2015. 

I am truly sorry that Prof. Kanthimathi was also afflicted with cancer and passed away a few months earlier. 

Please accept my belated condolences.

They are legends and while they are no more with us, their legacy lives on through their perpetual contributions to their respective professions and humanity. 

Yours Sincerely,
Sitharthan