Jose Prakash

He was born as K. J. Joseph (Jr.) on 14 April 1925 as the eldest of the eight children of Eliyamma and K. J. Joseph (Sr.) of the Kunnel house at Changanassery, Kottayam. He had four younger brothers and three sisters, among whom the youngest brother, Prem Prakash, is also an actor. Originally named after his father, he came to be known as 'Baby' among his family and friends. He had his primary education from Sacred Heart Public School, Kottayam.{{Cite web|url=http://cinidiary.com/people.php?pigsection=Actor&picata=1&no_of_displayed_rows=22&no_of_rows_page=10&sletter=|title=CiniDiary|access-date=6 May 2015|archive-date=19 May 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150519023647/http://cinidiary.com/people.php?pigsection=Actor&picata=1&no_of_displayed_rows=22&no_of_rows_page=10&sletter=|url-status=dead}} He was settled in Madras for around 30 years and later moved to Kochi. In 2003, his right leg had to be amputated due to Diabetes. He was married to Philomina (Chinnamma), who predeceased him in 1991. They had 6 children, 2 sons and 4 daughters: Elsamma Thomas (née Joseph), Rajan Joseph, Gracy Maliakal, Shaji Joseph, Jasmine Joseph, and Susan Joseph. He lived with his youngest son, Shaji Joseph, in Kochi till his death on 24 March 2012.

Script writers Bobby-Sanjay and Malayalam movie director Dennis Joseph are his nephews.{{cite web|url=https://www.newindianexpress.com/cities/kochi/2012/mar/25/hello-mr-pereira-351955.html|title=Hello Mr Pereira|date=16 May 2012 |publisher=New Indian Express}}

Jose Prakash was in the Indian army before entering the film industry. While in the army he had the rare distinction to serve as the body guard of Mahatma Gandhi during the time of partition. Like other actors of that age he was not a theatre or stage artist. He had served for Indian army for 8 years.[https://web.archive.org/web/20120906223852/http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2012-03-25/kochi/31236272_1_malayalam-film-industry-villain-roles-bhakta-kuchela Veteran actor Jose Prakash is dead ][http://www.deccanchronicle.com/channels/showbiz/mollywood/malayalam-thespian-jose-prakash-dead-196 Malayalam thespian Jose Prakash dead ] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120327154816/http://www.deccanchronicle.com/channels/showbiz/mollywood/malayalam-thespian-jose-prakash-dead-196 |date=27 March 2012 }} He later left army and return to his homeland and start small business. Having interest in cinema and music from childhood he started a small club with his friends called Kottayam Arts Club in which he was the lead singer.[http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/veteran-malayalam-actor-jose-prakash-passes-away/1/179272.html he was the lead singer] Thikkurissy Sukumaran Nair once saw his performance and called him as a singer for his debut directorial film Sheriyo Thetto. It was Thikkurissy who gave him the name Jose Prakash.

Jose Prakash started his early career as a singer who lend his voice for Prem Nazir, Sathyaneshan Nadar etc. Malayalam industry was not professional at early 1950s usually actors sing for themselves. Thikkurissy Sukumaran Nair introduced him to V. Dakshinamoorthy who liked his voice and lend his voice for the film Sheriyo Thetto in 1953 directed by Thikkurissy Sukumaran Nair.[http://www.mathrubhumi.com/english/story.php?id=121811 Mathrubhumi, Jose Prakash laid to rest] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120326170400/http://www.mathrubhumi.com/english/story.php?id=121811 |date=26 March 2012 }} In this film philosophical number "Paadu pettu paadangalil" sung by Jose Prakash introduced a new trend in Malayan cinema. He also did a small role in the movie. He was not at all a professional singer and does not attend any musical class. In the early 1960s Malayalam film industry became professional and the introduction of talented singers like A. M. Rajah, K. J. Yesudas ended the careers of all non professional singers. Up to the 1960s he had sung around 60 songs for various actors like Prem Nazir etc.

During his singing career he had done small roles and cameos for films. His first break as an actor was Bhakta Kuchela in 1961. But his major break as a villain was Olavum Theravum in 1969 and he later went on to do many films mostly in villain roles. In 1971, he acted in the first ever investigative sequel C.I.D. Nazir (1971) directed by P. Venu. Later he worked with P. Venu in many of his films. He and K. P. Ummer dominated Malayalam film industry in the role of Antagonist and was a hard target for Heroes. He acted in more than 350 films in Malayalam language and retired from film industry in 2003 for health reasons. His last film was Ente Veedu Appuvinteyum directed by Sibi Malayil. After a long gap of 8 years, he did a small cameo role in Traffic.

;Kerala State Television Awards

• 1993:Kerala State Television Award For Best Actor - Mikhayelinte Santhathikal
• 2006 Bahadoor Award
• 2011 J C Daniel Award

• "Om Namashivaaya" - Love in Kerala (1968)
• "Oronnoro Chenchorathan" - Avan Varunnu (1954)
• "Neelippenne" - Manasakshi (1954)
• "Kannuneer Nee Choriyaathe" - Sheriyo Thetto (1953)
• "Paadupettu Paadangalil" - Sheriyo Thetto (1953)
• "Thaarame Thaanuvaru" - Sheriyo Thetto (1953)
• "Vaarmazhaville Va" - Sheriyo Thetto (1953)
• "Pokaam Pokaam" - Sheriyo Thetto (1953)
• "Kelkuka Ha" - Alphonsa (1952)
• "Chinthayil Neerunna" - Visappinte Vili (1952)
• "Ramanan" - Visappinte Vili (1952)

• Akashadoothu (TV series) (2012)- A teleserial from Surya TV which is the sequel of the hit Malayalam film Akashadoothu
• Mikhaelinte Santhathikal - as Mikhael (Doordarshan)
• Vava (Asianet)
• Avashthantarangal (Kairali TV)

• Jose Prakash Celebrating his 84th birthday-http://www.ratedesi.com/video/v/XJgxBIs0Hpk/Actor-Jose-Prakash-celebrates-84th-birthday!
• {{cite web|url=http://www.hindu.com/mp/2011/01/03/stories/2011010351160400.htm|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110110131148/http://www.hindu.com/mp/2011/01/03/stories/2011010351160400.htm|url-status=dead|archive-date=2011-01-10|work=The Hindu|title=Metro Plus Kochi / Columns : SHARIYO THETTO 1953|date=2011-01-03|access-date=2014-02-18}}
• {{cite web|url=http://www.malayalamtv.com/MeetTheStar-7/Prem+Prakash.html?id=62|title=STAR GALLERY   Malayalam TV, Channel Updates, TV Programmes, News Online|publisher=malayalamtv.com|access-date=2014-02-18}}

{{Reflist}}

• {{cite web|url=http://en.msidb.org/displayProfile.php?category=actors&artist=Jose%20Prakash&limit=236|title=Profile of Malayalam Actor Jose Prakash|publisher=en.msidb.org|access-date=2014-02-18}}

• {{IMDb name|0430772|Jose Prakash }}

{{J. C. Daniel Award}}

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Category:1925 births

Category:2012 deaths

Category:J. C. Daniel Award winners

Category:Kerala State Film Award winners

Category:21st-century Indian male actors

Category:Male actors from Kottayam

Category:Male actors in Malayalam cinema

Category:Indian male film actors

Category:20th-century Indian male actors

Category:Indian male television actors

Category:Male actors in Malayalam television

Category:Indian male playback singers

Category:20th-century Indian singers

Category:Singers from Kerala

Category:People from Changanassery

Category:20th-century Indian male singers