Narendra Prasad


Raghava Kurup Narendra Prasad was a popular Indian actor, playwright, director, teacher and literary critic. He was born at Mavelikara, Alappuzha District, in the south Indian state of Kerala.
He studied at N. S. S. College, Pandalam, for Pre-University and for his degree. He moved to Institute of English, University of Kerala for his post-graduation in English Language and Literature. A voracious reader in Malayalam and English, Narendra Prasad distinguished himself as a potential man of letters even as a degree student. He used to take part in the Malayalam and English literary discussions, debates and competitions organised at the college and university levels, and won prizes. His play Souparnika won the Kerala Sahitya Akademi Award in 1985.
Narendra Prasad started his career as a college teacher; he joined Bishop Moore College in 1967 as lecturer in English. He got into government service in 1968, and worked as Lecturer at Government Victoria College, Palakkad, and Govt. Arts College, Trivandrum, and as Professor at University College, Thiruvananthapuram. In 1989 while working as Professor of English at University College, he was selected for the prestigious post of Director, School of Letters of Mahatma Gandhi University, Kottayam. He continued in this post till his demise.

Awards

Kerala State Film Awards:
Narendra Prasad's love of theatre prompted him to create "Natyagriham", a drama troupe, in the early 1980s. He composed, directed and produced plays for the troupe. Some of those who associated themselves with "Natyagriham" later became great actors in Malayalam films-- 'Bharat' Murali, Gopakumar, Aliyar Kunju and Rashid, to name a few. Kaithapram Damodaran Nambudiri, the noted Malayalam lyricist, used to compose music for the troupe. Sowparnika a play written and directed by him won the Sangeetha Nataka Academy Award in many categories in 1983. It also won the Kerala Sahitya Akademi Award in the year 1985. Other productions include Velliyazcha, Shanidasha, Marthandavarma Engane Rakshapettu, Moonu Prabhukkanmar, Satheerthian etc.
Prasad's noted literary works include the novel Alanjavar Anveshichavar, the critical works entitled Nishedhikalae Manasilakku, Adhunikathinte Madyanu, Ente Sahitya Nirupanangal, Jadi Paranjal Enthe, and the critically acclaimed and award-winning play Souparnilka. It is as a playwright and critic that Prasad became known in the Malayalam literary world. He won the Sangeeta Nataka Akademi and Kerala Sahitya Akademi Award for his contributions to drama.

Film

Narendra Prasad got into the tinsel world while working at the School of Letters. He earned recognition as a talented actor with his powerful portrayal of semi-villainous characters. His hit films include Thalastaanam, Utsavamelam, Paithrukam, Sthalathe Pradhana Payyans, Ekalavyan, Yaadhavam, Aaram Thamburan, Krishnagudiyil Oru Pranayakalathu, Njangal Santhushtaranu, Ustaad, Vazhunnor, One Man Show, and Susanna. He acted in over 150 films, winning the State Award for the 'Best Supporting Actor' for "Paithrukam." His character in Aaram thamburan gained more popularity in public

Personal life

Born on 26 December 1946 to V. Raghava Kurup and P. Janaki Amma, at Mavelikkara. He had his education from Govt.School Mavelikkara, NSS College, Pandalam and Institute of English-University of Kerala, Thiruvananthapuram. He was married to Nanda and has two children, Divya and Deepa. Nanda Prasad died on December 2013 at a private hospital in Kochi. The funeral was held at her house premise in Sasthamkulangara in Mavelikara.

Death

He died at the PVS Hospital, Kozhikode on 3 November 2003, due to cardio-respiratory arrest. He had been admitted to Amrita Hospital, Ernakulam for breathlessness, caused by interstitial lung disease, a condition that caused disintegration of his lungs. From here he was moved to PVS Hospital, where though he gained consciousness, he succumbed to the illness. He was aged 57 at the time of his death. He was cremated with full state honours at his home in Mavelikkara.

Filmography

As an actor

Towards the second half of the nineties he ventured into television. Shayama Prasad's tele-film Peruvazhiyile Kariyilakal, was Prasad's first venture on the small screen