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About Prof. T. Thrivikraman

Prof. T. Thrivikraman is one of the leading mathematicians of the present time. He has been instrumental in promoting mathematics education and research particularly in Kerala. More than four decades of class room teaching, supervising a large number of research scholars, extending unflinching help to teaching and students community, irrespective of their educational background, Dr. Thrivikraman has endeared thousands of hearts not only in Kerala but also outside.

Prof. T. Thrivikraman was born on May 6, 1943 at Arangottukara, village in Thrissur District, Kerala.  Sri. Raman Namboothiri, his father, belonged to the Thekkedathu Mana, an ancient Brahmin family in Malapuram District and his mother Smt. Nangeli Antharjanam belonged to the Moothedathu Illam, an aristocratic family in the northern part of Malapuram District Smt. Nirmala, his wife, hails from the Paleli iIllam at Chowara, near Aluva. Dr. T. Dinesh, his only son, is presently a Lecturer in the Dept. of Mathematics in Nehru Arts and Science College, Kanghangad. His daughter-in-law Priya is a teacher in a private school and grandsons Appu and Devadevan are tiny tots. Dr. Thrivikraman resided at Edappally for about three decades and lives now at Neeleeswar, Kasargode with his family.

Dr. Thrivikraman,known as TT for his colleagues and friends, had his school days at Varavur High school in Thrissur District where his mother was a teacher. After having his graduation in Sree Kerala Varma College, Thrissur he did his post graduation in University College, Thiruvananthapuram in 1964, M. Phil. in 1969 and Ph.D. in 1976, both from the University of Madurai. Prof. Thrivikraman started doing research under the supervision of Prof. M. Rajagopalan and later on completed his doctoral thesis under Dr. T. Soundararajan. His Ph. D. work was on topology (Studies on Compactifications and other Extensions) and the thesis was evaluated at McGill University, Canada. Prof. Thrivikraman started his teaching career at Mar Athanasius College, Kothamangalam from where he was sent to Madurai for pursuing doctoral studies, later, he joined the Department of Mathematics of Cochin University as a Lecturer in 1977. After four decades of successful teaching, he retired from active service on May 31, 2003 from the Cochin University of Science and Technology (CUSAT). Soon after his retirement, he was invited to direct the research activities at St. Joseph’s College, Irinjalakuda and at present he is a visiting Professor at the Kannur University.

A perfect teacher excels in the classroom, but transcends its confines.  Outside the classroom he is a loving parent and a dear friend. Prof. Thrivikraman, all through his career has been the embodiment of perfection. He has been a friend, guide and a guru to generations of students. There is hardly any college in Kerala that has not received his direct or indirect help. Almost every college in Kerala is likely to have at least one of his students on its faculty. He has given shape to the syllabi and curriculum in universities across South India. Prof. Thrivikraman’s scholarship in mathematics is astounding in its range and depth. His deep interest in diverse areas has made him an authority on a wide range of topics -- be it fractal geometry, frame theory, digital topology, or information theory. His knowledge of the core subject areas like the foundations of mathematics, analysis, topology, algebra and relatively recent topics like fuzzy mathematics, graph theory, coding theory and cryptography is evidenced by the innumerable lectures he has delivered at various national and international seminars and conferences across the country. He has been a universal reference source for scholars. At least 300 research publications in national and international journals acknowledge his contribution. He has coordinated and taken classes for many inservice courses for school teachers.  Prof. Thrivikraman always had a passion for popularizing mathematical knowledge. He has authored a string of popular articles on various topics, and these have been widely appreciated. His deep knowledge of Sanskrit has helped him to move towards the philosophical dimension in his articles and books. He is an exponent of the history of mathematics as well.  

The Department of Mathematics , CUSAT developed in many ways during his tenure as the Head of the Department. A gentleman to the core, and the personification of integrity and hard work, he could coordinate the affairs in the department with ease and win admiration and praise from all quarters. Even after years, his relationship with the office staff remains intact. Prof. Thrivikraman is a poet and a writer. Some of his books have been published by Sasthra Sahitya Parishad-a nationally acclaimed popular science movement of Kerala.  He has published popular science articles on Mathematics in various periodicals, as many as twenty articles in the Malayalam encyclopedia, Viswa Vijnana Kosham  published by National Book Stall , a good number of articles in the Children's Encyclopedia published by STEPS, two books on popular Science and Mathematics and also a book of poems. A large treasure of poems remains with him in manuscript form. He is also a regular contributor to Ananthatha- a math magazine in Malayalam published by Payyannur College.

Prof. Thrivikraman has won recognition as UGC National Associate; Fellow of National Academy of Sciences and Life member/Member of about dozen Mathematical and scientific associations at the State, National and International levels. He is a Reviewer / Referee / Editor of many Mathematical journals. He was elected during 2004-05 as the President of the Indian Mathematical Society (IMS). He remains the one and only person from Kerala elevated to this position.

Prof. Thrivikraman is an inextricable part of the Kerala Mathematical Association (KMA). His association with KMA goes back to its very inception in 1962. He has been very active in various capacities - member student, life member teacher, executive member, Academic Secretary etc. He is the present President of the Association and is the heart and soul of KMA. The veteran leaders of the formative period of KMA like Dr. S. Parameswaran, Dr. C. T. John, Prof. K Ramakrishna Pillai, Prof. Chechamma Mathai, Prof. C. Kochumman, Prof. V. Karunakara Menon , Prof. George John Nidhiri, Prof. S. Abraham, and Prof. P. O. John made liberal use of his services. Prof. Thrivikraman had been an unflagging source of help to them in all activities of the KMA - either in giving lectures at conferences, or taking classes in workshops, or in framing syllabi.

The Bulletin of Kerala Mathematics Association , a reputed international journal , has Prof. T. Thrivikraman as the present Academic Editor. As a token of appreciation of the great contribution he has given to the mathematics fraternity, his students have instituted the Thrivikraman Endowment Lecture .

Ph.D. thesis supervised by Professor Thrivikraman