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.
Raj Kalesh | |
---|---|
Born | 20/02/1971 Nedumparambu, Kilimanoor, Kerala |
Nationality | Indian |
Education | Bachelor of Arts in English, SN College |
Occupation | Magician, chef, stage choreographer |
Spouse(s) | Divya Kalesh |
Children | 2 |
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.
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.
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
Year | Title | Role | Channel | Notes |
---|---|---|---|---|
1999-2001 | N/A | Assistant director | network television | |
2002-2005 | Suprabhatham | Assistant director | Asianet | |
2002-2005 | Sayahnam | Assistant director | Asianet | |
2005 | Kudumba Mela | Magician | Asianet | First independent magic mow |
2006-2011 | Taste of Kerala | Host | Amrita TV | The highest rated cookery show in Kerala |
2007-2011 | Hello Dubai | Host | Amrita TV | Travelogue[3] |
2009 | Taste of Arabia | Host | Amrita TV | Travelogue |
2010 | Hello Americas | Host | Amrita TV | Travelogue[4] |
2012 | Foodpath | Host | Asianet Middle East / Asianet Plus | Returned to Asianet with an international food travelogue, covering 17 countries in Europe, Africa, North America and Asia. |
2013 | Entertainment Ke Liye Kuch Bhi Karega | Contestant | Sony TV | Hindi multi-talent reality show. He performed magic acts like making the famous Bollywood actor Anil Kapoor into thin air and turning around the head of Imran Khan, thus making a name in North India as well. He won the winner's cup for this show. |
2013-2014 | Indian Voice Junior | Co-Host | Mazhavil Manorama | He made the national award winner KS Chithra sing in mid-air. |
2015 | Avial | Host | Surya TV | Cookery show |
2015 | Venal Pacha | Magician | Asianet News | |
2015 | Uggram Ujjwalam | Performer | Mazhavil Manorama | Special appearance |
2016-2017 | De Ruchi | Host | Mazhavil Manorama | Cookery show[5] |
2016-2017 | Vismaya Sanchaaram | Host | DD Malayalam | A magic-centric show |
2017-2018 | The Treat | Host | Media One | Very popular show in the Middle East. |
2017-2018 | Udan Panam | Co-Host with Mathukkutty | Mazhavil Manorama | Quiz show with an automated teller machine that delivers cash with each correct answer , was the number one rated programme. |
2018 | The Grand Magical Circus | Host | Amrita TV | Show which promotes and encourages Indian magicians and circus artists. |
2018 | Comedy Circus | Host (skit) | Mazhavil Manorama | Special appearance |
2018-2019 | Udan Panam season 2 | Co-Host with Mathukkutty | Mazhavil Manorama | |
2018-2019 | Europpil Parannu Parannu | Co-Host with Mathukkutty | Mazhavil Manorama | Travelouge |
2019-Present | Ruchi Malayalam | Host | DD Malayalam | Cookery show |
2020 | Star Magic | Magician | Flowers TV | |
2020–Present | Let's Rock and Roll | Co-Host with Mathukkutty | Zee Keralam | Musical game show |
Writing
Ruchi Vattam[2] was publishe 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
- "After food and magic, Raj Kalesh found his third love". Deccan Chronicle. Retrieved 7 December 2017.
- M, Athira (7 October 2015). "Blend of the best". The Hindu. Retrieved 7 December 2017.
- "Hello Dubai Mon-Fri 11.30 P.M IST on Amrita TV". Keralatv.in. 28 January 2010. Retrieved 7 December 2017.
- "Amrita TV New Programs - Hello Americas". Keralatv.in. 1 May 2009. Retrieved 7 December 2017.
- "'Dhe Ruchi' on Mazhavil Manorama". Times of India. Retrieved 7 December 2017.
- "2008 Winners - Asian Television Awards". Asian TV Awards. Retrieved 7 December 2017.