JOSEKUTTY PANACKAL

JOSEKUTTY PANACKAL
Born 11th August 1977,at Kappadu near Kanjirappally in Kottayam, Kerala state. At the age of three, after family partition, moved to Udumbannoor near Thodupuzha in Idukki district along with father and mother .
Started schooling in Pallickamury Little flower Lower Primary school up to third standard and joined Karimannoor Holy Family LPS to complete fourth standard. Upper primary Schooling was at Udumbannoor Mankuzhy St:George High school. At the time of schooling spirit in the sports field gave a new meaning to life and became the Individual sports champion in the school. Later won long distance race in state level. In 1989 after 8th standard education family left for Pannimattom 14 Kilometers away from Thodupuzha in the same district.
9th and 10th standard education was completed in Kalayanthani St:George High school. During this period he fell in love with camera and started shooting with a small auto focus gadget. After the completion of school education he worked with Photographer Benny Mathew of Greeshma studio Poomala. Benny gave him an SLR camera with which he made experiments and mastered the techniques of professional Photography. Being a sports man he successfully completed training in Karate from Moolamattom and Pala centers.
At the time of Pre-degree education at St:Josephs college Arakkulam near Moolamattom he worked outside the campus as Martial arts Instructor, and Photographer . His photography career began here with college functions and events. Besides he started Karate training centers at Pannimattom , Elamdesam and Cheenikuzhy .Learned another martial art form KUNG - FU from Moolamattom . Joined in Thodupuzha Newman college for graduation in Economics in the year 1995 - 1998. During this period contributed news pictures from the college and outside to leading language dailies like Mathrubhumi,Kaumudi, Mangalam etc..
Inspired by famous photographer Victor George who later sacrificed his life for news photography Josekutty jumped in to the world of pictures.In 1999 joined for post graduation in Malayalam. In the year 2000 MALAYALA MANORAMA, and MATHRUBHUMI invited application for the post of photo journalists. Malayala Manorama, being the first paper selected him as photographer he joined in it's Kottayam head office. In 2001 February he transferred to it's Kannur unit. Training period was completed and he started working as staff Photographer.
During this period he completed the Photo Journalism class by Californian photographer Mr. Paul Libart in Ootty Light and Life academy. The first out side Kerala assignment was to cover All India University Sports meet in Gulberga university stadium. Rajastan Assembly election and Uttar Pradesh Parliament election followed.In 2005 April came back to the head office of Malayala Manorama in Kottayam. Events covered in 2005 are 9th ONGC football in Goa , World cup volley qualifying match in Chennai , India - Malaysia world cup qualifying Rugby at Mumbai , Bagged four International Photography Awards, 13 awards in National and state level photo contests.
In 2005 September he was participated IFRA Asia Sports Photo Journalism master class workshop held in Kuala Lumpur Malaysia. In 2006 transferred to Kollam unit of Manorama. In 2007 he married Sindhu George working as an engineering college lecturer, and in 2007 he was promoted as Senior photographer. Next year (2008) again transferred to Manorama's Thrissur unit. He was completed his Post Graduate Diploma in Computer Application in 2008.
HIS PHOTOGRAPHY AWARDS
a) IVA award 1999
b) Gandhiji Study Centre award 2000
c) Parassinikkadavu Socity Award 2002
d) State farm Journalism Award 2003
e) Indian Junior Chamber Award 2003
f) Tourism Award 2003
g) Adventure academy award 2003
h) World vision of India award 2003
i) Epson International Digital photography award from Japan 2004
j) NDT foundation award from Allahabad 2004
k) Farm Information Bureau award 2004
l) ICICI bank independence day international photography award 2004
m) Agrifest Kannur District award 2004
n) Vadappuram Bava news photography award 2005
o) Epson International Digital Imaging award from Japan 2005
p) Pune waves art gallery project calendar photo award 2006
q) RAF media excellence award 2008

Courtesy http://www.josekutty.com/

Contact Address (Official)-Josekutty Panackal, Senior Photojournalist, Malayala Manorama, PB NO:201, Ikkandawarrier Road, Thrissur.680001 Phone: +91 487 2443919 (8lines), Mobile:+919846061305.Fax:+91487 2421194, Email: josekuttyp@gmail.com


Contact Address (Personal)-Josekutty Panackal, Panackal House, Pannimattom PO, Kalayanthani (VIA) , Thodupuzha, Kerala, India. 685588.Phone: +914862277550, Mobile:+919846061305WEB: http://www.josekutty.com/