Raj Kalesh

Raj Kalesh is an Indian magician, chef,^[1] TV host, stage choreographer and performer, from the city of Trivandrum, Kerala. He is best known for his cookery shows and magic shows on television. He has been the host of various shows for national channels, but almost all channels in Malayalam. He has also appeared in films, with notable roles in movies such as Sapthamashree Thaskaraha, Ustad Hotel and Lord Livingstone 7000 Kandi.

Childhood and personal life[]

Kalesh and his younger brother Raj Mahesh were born in Nedumparambu, Kilimanoor a suburban town near Thiruvananthapuram, in the state of Kerala. They were raised by their father Divakaran, who worked as a postmaster and their mother, Sarasamma. Attending school at Nagaroor Nedumparambu Government Higher Secondary School, he went on to complete his pre-degree in English at Sree Narayana College, Varkala. Shortly thereafter he graduated with an English degree from Sree Narayana College, Chempazhanthy.

During his schooling, he won an award for best actor at the State School Youth Festival.^{[citation needed]}

Kalesh is married to Divya Kalesh. She is the producer of TV shows such as Taste of Kerala, Hot and Spicy, Little World and Mathrubhumi Award Night. They have two children.^{[citation needed]}

Early career[]

Kalesh's career^[2] took the turn into the entertainment industry when he joined a course in cinematography at the Southern Film Institute. He had been a part of Challenge Arts, an arts promotion club at Nagaroor, where he performed in some amateur theatre performances including dramas by G.Sankarapilai, Kavalam Narayana Panickker, Onam Thuruththu Rajasekharan and Chembur Zakir. On completion, he joined Asianet as an assistant director for programmes such as Sayahnam and Suprabhatham. He also assisted in the making of promotional videos and films. When he was not working on his many other projects, he worked as a stage choreographer for the magician Gopinath Muthukad, who inspired him to study magic. In 1999, Kalesh sought his tutelage.

The making of Raj Kalesh[]

Television Career

Writing[]

Ruchi Vattam^[2] was published in Malayalam by DC Book, Kottayam. Raj Kalesh joined the illustrious ranks of authors. He had earlier published food oriented articles in various Malayalam periodicals like Vanitha, Grihalakshmi, Mathrubhoomi Yathra, Kanyaka, Vanitha Paachakam and Madhyamam Ruchi.

Rewards and recognitions[]

• 2007 & 2009: Award for best TV anchor from the State Government
• 2007: Frame Media Award for Best Anchor
• 2008: Asian Television Award for Best Anchor^[6]
• 2009: JC Award for the best cooking show of the year
• 2010: Winner of the reality show Entertainment Ke Liye - Kuch Bhi Karega
• 2016: Best Performer award from Mantra International Magic Convention.

References[]