Distinction ~ L V Prasad

L.V. Prasad, a man of rare distinction

L.V.Prasad was undoubtedly a man of rare distinction. He was the only actor, albeit in small roles, to act in all the first talkies of Indian Cinema; Alam Ara in Hindi, Kalidas in Tamil and Baktha Prahalada in Telugu.
L.V.Prasad introduced the legendary actor of South Indian Cinema N.T.Rama Rao in a minor role in Mana Desam(1949) and later made him a hero in ‘Shavukkaru’ (1950).
L.V.Prasad directed the silver jubilee hit ‘Khilona’ which was also screened in the Dreamland Theatre in Mumbai where he had worked as a ticket collector in the early years of his career! ‘Khilona’ won the Filmfare Award for Best Film.
Manohara, a Tamil film directed by L.V.Prasad, in 1954, propelled the Immortal Tamil Cinema Legend Shivaji Ganesan to dazzling heights of stardom.
Dr.M.Karunanidhi, the present Chief Minister of Tamilnadu wrote the script for all the Tamil films produced by L.V.Prasad and also for ‘Manohara’ ‘Iruvar Ullam’ and ‘Thayilla Pillai’ directed by L.V.Prasad.
He was Awarded ‘RAJA SANDOW MEMORIAL AWARD’ for the year 1978-79 by the then Honorable Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu, Dr. M. G. Ramachandran at Madras.
L.V.Prasad was Chairman of the 27th National Film Festival Awards Selection Committee (Feature Films) held at New Delhi in 1980.
He was honoured by the Andhra Pradesh Government with the ‘RAGHUPATHI VENKAYYA AWARD’ for the year 1980.
He was honored with ‘UDYOG PATRA AWARD’ by the Honorable Vice President of India, Mr. M.Hidayatullah at New Delhi on 20th December, 1980.
He was Chairman of the All India Selection Panel (Indian Panorama) for the 8th International Competitive Film Festival held in New Delhi from January 3 to 17, 1981.
Kala Sagar and the Madras Film Fan’s Association bestowed honours on L. V. Prasad on 18th October 1981.
L.V.Prasad was Chairman of the International Jury for Children’s Film Festival held in November 1981 at Madras.
He received the ‘RAMNATH AWARD-82’ by the Cine Technicians’ Association of South India on 5th June, 1982.
In the year 1982 he was awarded the DADASAHEB PHALKE AWARD, the crowning glory of his life. The Dadasaheb Phalke Award is an annual award given by the Indian Government for lifetime contribution to Indian Cinema. It was instituted in 1969, the birth centenary year of Dadasaheb Phalke, considered the father of Indian Cinema.
He was given ‘KALAATAPASVI’ award by the popular Telugu cinema weekly magazine ‘SITARA’ on 13th March 1983 at Hyderabad.
He was elected as the President of The South Indian Film Chamber of Commerce for the year 1982-83.
‘KALA PRAPURNA’ award was conferred on him by Chancellor, Andhra University at WALTAIR on 21st December, 1985.
He was Member of the Board of Film Censors from October 1980 to February 1987. ‘ANDHRA RATNA’ award was conferred on L.V.Prasad by Andhra Pradesh KALAVEDIKA on 27th March, 1987 at Hyderabad.
L.V.Prasad was Chairman of the Studio Owners, Council, a wing of Film Federation of India.