Prakash Kariappa
Prakash Kariappa Kottukathira, born 20 September 1965 in Kodagu (Coorg), Karnataka, is an Indian film producer, actor, director, writer and entrepreneur, and a veteran of the Indian Army. He works mainly in Kodava and Kannada cinema and helps develop the Kodava film industry. With his wife, filmmaker Yeshoda Prakash, he started Swasthik Entertainment and Coorg Coffeewood Movies.
His Kannada film Kandeelu (2022) won the National Film Award for Best Kannada Feature Film. He received the National Award from the President at the 71st National Awards Ceremony in New Delhi on 23 September 2025.
Prakash was born to Kottukathira Elakki Kariappa and Ragini Kariappa and did his early schooling in Gadinad Surlabbi, Kalur and Galibeedu. He spent time at his maternal home with relatives, building close family ties.
He joined the Indian Army in June 1983 and served 17 years in the Army Service Corps, with postings in Jammu and Kashmir, Madhya Pradesh, Assam, Nagaland and Rajasthan. He was part of the IPKF in Sri Lanka and served in the Kargil conflict in 1999. He retired in June 2000 with an Exemplary Certificate.
After leaving the Army, he started businesses in pre-casting, concrete products and construction. He also took part in theatre and cultural activities during his service.
In 2016, filmmaker Apadanda T. Raghu introduced him to acting, casting him in Kodava TV serials Gejje Thand, Jamma Bhumi and Nanga Kodava. In 2017 he founded Coorg Coffeewood Movies and produced his first Kodava film Baake Mane, which was shown at the Kolkata International Film Festival.
Since then, he has acted in 19 films in Kodava and Kannada and produced or directed several films that have been showcased at Indian and international film festivals. He has written 11 novels in Kodava and Kannada, with four adapted into films: Sattha Soothakada Suttha, Pommaale Kodag, Ber and Kaangatha Mood. His novel Naada Kodag won the Kodava Sahithya Academy Award for Best Novel in 2024.
His wife, Yeshoda Prakash, is also a filmmaker. Together they have made 18 films in Kodava and Kannada, plus one Kodava documentary, becoming the first Kodava couple to win a National Film Award. Their work has been shown at international festivals in Kolkata, Bangalore, Goa and Dhaka.
Prakash and Yeshoda have two daughters, Thejal Kariappa and Thanam Kariappa, and are recognized as major contributors to Kodava and Kannada cinema.
This page was last edited on 3 February 2026, at 13:28 (CET).