Raj Kalesh

Raj Kalesh (born May 1978) 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
BornMay 1978
Nedumparambu, Kilimanoor, Kerala
NationalityIndian
EducationBachelor of Arts in English, SN College
OccupationMagician, chef, stage choreographer
Spouse(s)Divya Kalesh
Children2

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, Daksha and Darsh.

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 famous magician Gopinath Muthukad, who inspired him to study magic. In 1999, Kalesh sought his tutelage. He has hence made a name for himself as a magician with state and national recognition.

The making of Raj Kalesh

From the foundations laid during the formative years, Kalesh has now built a career as a magician, TV host, chef and a stage performer and dancer of some repute.

1999-2001: Assistant director of network television
2002-2005: Assistant director of Asianet
2005: First independent magic mow on Asianet programme, Kudumba Mela
2006: Hosted the cookery show, Taste of Kerala on Amrita TV, the highest rated cookery show in Kerala
2007-2011: Hosted the travelogues, Hello Dubai,[3] Taste of Arabia and Hello Americas.[4]
2012: Returned to Asianet with an international food travelogue, covering 17 countries in Europe, Africa, North America and Asia.
2013: He took a break from hosting and enrolled himself in Entertainment Ke Liye- Kuch Bhi Karega, multi-talent reality show on Sony Entertainment Television. 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: Co-hosted the music reality show, Indian Voice Junior on Mazhavil Manorama. He made the national award winner KS Chithra sing in mid-air.
2014-2015: He acted in Malayalam movies such as Ustaad Hotel and Sapthamashree Thaskara.
2015: Did a cooking show, Avial, on Surya TV.
2016-2017: De Ruchi was a highly rated cookery show on Mazhavil Manorama,[5] hosted by Raj Kalesh. He also did the TV show Vismaya Sanchaaram, a magic-centric show on the national channel, Doordarshan. The cookery show named The Treat is still very popular in the Middle East on Media One TV.
2017-present: His quiz oriented game show, Udan Panam, featuring Mathukutty a famous RJ and an automated teller machine that delivers cash with each correct answer, was the number one rated programme on Mazhavil Manorama. He also made The Grand Magical Circus, which promotes and encourages Indian magicians and circus artists.
2018: Started hosting Udan panam season 2 and Europpil Parannu Parannu, a travelogue both with Mathukkutty

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.

Away from television

Kalesh continues to be a performer. His own magic troupe, Redinfocus, is a sought-after magic show at most major events. His production company, Raj Kalesh Productions (P) Ltd, is a production house for such popular TV shows as Hot & Spicy on ACV. He is assisted by his wife Divya in his production venture and she herself is a video and movie editor.

Kalesh resides in Trivandrum.

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References
  1. "After food and magic, Raj Kalesh found his third love". Deccan Chronicle. Retrieved 7 December 2017.
  2. M, Athira (7 October 2015). "Blend of the best". The Hindu. Retrieved 7 December 2017.
  3. "Hello Dubai Mon-Fri 11.30 P.M IST on Amrita TV". Keralatv.in. 28 January 2010. Retrieved 7 December 2017.
  4. "Amrita TV New Programs - Hello Americas". Keralatv.in. 1 May 2009. Retrieved 7 December 2017.
  5. "'Dhe Ruchi' on Mazhavil Manorama". Times of India. Retrieved 7 December 2017.
  6. "2008 Winners - Asian Television Awards". Asian TV Awards. Retrieved 7 December 2017.
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