# Jagadeesh Kanna

Jagadeesh Kanna (born September 22, 1988) is an Indian stage actor, playwright, film director, and lyricist best known for writing and directing The Stealer, An Experimental film with A non linear take on Hero's journey concept in combination with Rashomon effect, with multiple award recognitions. and Oru Cup Coffee, a short film on mercy killing. and Never Give Up, a play inspired by the life of Olympic athlete Derek Redmond. Kanna
had his acting debut as the lead in the crowd-funded Tamil film Naalu Peruku Nalladhuna Edhuvum Thappilla (2017). He is also the founder and CEO of Vaayusastra Aerospace, an educational and research firm combining theatre and aeronautics, with the goal of taking aeronautical knowledge to every village in India. Vaayusastra Aerospace is incubated and funded under IIT Madras's RTBI. Kanna is the author of fortnightly column that combines storytelling with aeronautical science in The Hindu Young World Magazine.

## Early life

Jagadeesh Kanna was born in Madurai, Tamil Nadu, to a Saurashtrian palkar father and mother. He grew up in Thanjavur, India, reached Chennai for post graduation education where he attended IIT Madras as PhD Course work student in creative writing - humanities and sciences department and Hindustan University as a master's degree student in aeronautical engineering. He has a bachelor's degree in aeronautics from Nehru Institute of Engineering Technology, Coimbatore. While in college, he worked as an actor for The Little Theatre and served as joint secretary of the cultural committee for Hindustan University. Kanna is a co-founder and CEO of Vaayusastra Aerospace, an educational firm combining theatre arts, aeronautics and practical sciences, which is officially recognized as "Rural Technology Development Firm" by Indian Institute of Technology Madras and incubated under the Rural Technology Business Incubator, which falls under India's Ministry of Science and Technology.

## Career
### CEO Vaayusastra Aerospace

As CEO of Vaayusastra Aerospace Kanna created a theatre based aeronautics and aerospace curriculum for children from age five onwards, heads the R&D unit of Vaayusastra which focuses on various aerospace research areas in aerostats, aerodynes, space suits, cube satellites and rocket control systems. Kanna was featured in IIT Madras innovation series for his contribution and research in aeronautics and aerospace education. He writes a fortnightly series in Hindu Young World under the title "Sky High". It is a re-imaginative version of the Ramayana with Hanuman and Megnath as the primary characters and the story narrated from an aeronautical and aerospace science perspective. Kanna was featured in a Tamil hybrid web series titled Theervai Nokki for his works in Vaayusastra Aerospace and featured several times in IIT Madras Incubation Cell articles related to aeronautics and education. Under his leadership Vaayusastra achieved ISRO Space Tutor status. and Team Vaayusastra become Drone training partner for Government of Tamil Nadu initiative TNSDC Naan Mudhalvan Program to train 3600 Engineering college students., Vaayusastra has achieved the Candidacy status with Council for International American Accreditation, Newyork with support of Dr.Mohanalakshmi, Regional Director AIAASC.

#### Selected research publications

* ↑ Srishti Rawal; Aswini Madhubalan; Puviyarasu Manikandan; Jagadeesh Kanna (2022). "Study on the Design of Space Gloves and EVA Suits with Future Challenges". TLR Journal on Study on the Design of Space Gloves and EVA Suits with Future Challenges. 5. TLR: 18–30. doi:10.31881/TLR.2021.25. ISSN 2623-6281. S2CID 246616899.

### Film

Kanna began his stage career in pantomimes for The Little Theatre from 2009 to 2012. He continued performing for several years.
The Madras Mag published his short story AnnaParavai. In 2015, he performed in The Hindu Theatre fest. He was seen in Grand Rehearsals in Chennai to positive reviews.
In addition to stage work, he acted in Tamil feature films Naalu Peruku Nalladhuna Edhuvum Thappilla (2017)
and Thirai kadal (awaiting for release) In addition to working as an assistant director for Sarvam Thaala Mayam (2019) and 90 ML (2019),Kanna directed a feature film titled "The Stealer" and short film titled Oru Cup Coffee.
The film was screened at international short film festivals Cisff and Aisff.
Kanna had his lyricist debut with a music album composed by Bjorn Surrao and released by Anirudh Ravichander. followed by "Hey Babe" composed by Bjorn Surrao and released by Think Music and "Break up song" in his directorial film "The Stealer" composed by Arul Danie.

### Story writer

Kanna is the author of a fortnightly column that combines storytelling with aeronautical science in The Hindu Young World Magazine and Sun Shine Patrika.
List of Published works :
| Type | Description | Title | Date |
| Mythology + Aeronautics / Aerospace Fiction | Re-imangination of Ramayana with Hanuman and Meghnath as Primary characters from Aeronautical and Aerospace science perspective - King Ravana's son Meghnath undergoes his first flying lesson — with a paper plane! | Take to the skies | 8 February 2021 |
| Mythology + Aeronautics / Aerospace Fiction | Re-imangination of Ramayana with Hanuman and Meghnath as Primary characters from Aeronautical and Aerospace science perspective - Meghnath gets more curious about Ravana's flying machines. He learns more about them while also teaching his father a lesson of his own | Of flying and freedom | 22 February 2021 |
| Mythology + Aeronautics / Aerospace Fiction | Re-imangination of Ramayana with Hanuman and Meghnath as Primary characters from Aeronautical and Aerospace science perspective - While on a quest to grab a "fruit", Hanuman makes friends with some invisible matter who, he learns, are not as weak as they seem... | Lessons in the air | 7 March 2021 |
| Mythology + Aeronautics / Aerospace Fiction | Re-imangination of Ramayana with Hanuman and Meghnath as Primary characters from Aeronautical and Aerospace science perspective - As he travels at a super speed, way above the Earth's atmosphere, Hanuman encounters an obstacle in his journey towards the "orange". | On top of the world | 26 March 2021 |
| Mythology + Aeronautics / Aerospace Fiction | Re-imangination of Ramayana with Hanuman and Meghnath as Primary characters from Aeronautical and Aerospace science perspective - Both Hanuman and Meghnath realise the importance of knowledge and determination. And another lesson in flying... | The power of perseverance | 5 April 2021 |
| Mythology + Aeronautics / Aerospace Fiction | Re-imangination of Ramayana with Hanuman and Meghnath as Primary characters from Aeronautical and Aerospace science perspective - Megnath is surprised that the minutest elements have the power to create the most powerful energy. | The real power | 26 April 2021 |
| Mythology + Aeronautics / Aerospace Fiction | Re-imangination of Ramayana with Hanuman and Meghnath as Primary characters from Aeronautical and Aerospace science perspective - The air molecules take the opportunity to teach Hanuman exactly what went on when he flew towards the Sun. | The science behind his flight | 7 June 2021 |
| Mythology + Aeronautics / Aerospace Fiction | Re-imangination of Ramayana with Hanuman and Meghnath as Primary characters from Aeronautical and Aerospace science perspective - Hanuman finds out how the Moon orbits the Earth and also makes a new friend. | Power of the pull | 21 June 2021 |
| Mythology + Aeronautics / Aerospace Fiction | Re-imangination of Ramayana with Hanuman and Meghnath as Primary characters from Aeronautical and Aerospace science perspective - Meghnath is eager to learn the secrets behind Lord Vishnu's weapons and, as it turns out, it's all Science again! | Ready for take off | 9 July 2021 |
| Mythology + Aeronautics / Aerospace Fiction | Re-imangination of Ramayana with Hanuman and Meghnath as Primary characters from Aeronautical and Aerospace science perspective - Aerofoil, wing, inverted fish... what does all of this have to do with flying? Hanuman finds out. | It's all in the shape | 30 July 2021 |
| Mythology + Aeronautics / Aerospace Fiction | Re-imangination of Ramayana with Hanuman and Meghnath as Primary characters from Aeronautical and Aerospace science perspective - On his way to meet Guru Sukracharya, Meghnath is amazed to learn and experience new ways of flying. And there's a surprise in store... | Sailing across space | 23 August 2021 |
| Mythology + Aeronautics / Aerospace Fiction | Re-imangination of Ramayana with Hanuman and Meghnath as Primary characters from Aeronautical and Aerospace science perspective - On their way to meet Sukracharya, Meghnath is full of questions about buoyancy, how Venus is like Earth, and more... | Designing a simple spaceship | 4 September 2021 |
| Mythology + Aeronautics / Aerospace Fiction | Re-imangination of Ramayana with Hanuman and Meghnath as Primary characters from Aeronautical and Aerospace science perspective - At Tripura, Meghnath meets Sukracharya and dives straight into learning. His first lesson: about electrolysis. | The light of knowledge | 18 September 2021 |
| Mythology + Aeronautics / Aerospace Fiction | Re-imangination of Ramayana with Hanuman and Meghnath as Primary characters from Aeronautical and Aerospace science perspective - Hanuman's day is turning out to be super exciting with tasty snacks and the rockets he is able to make at home, thanks to Nala. | Ready for take off! | 25 October 2021 |
| Mythology + Aeronautics / Aerospace Fiction | Re-imangination of Ramayana with Hanuman and Meghnath as Primary characters from Aeronautical and Aerospace science perspective - Meghnath learns how sages used to communicate and meet with ethereal beings. | Across space and time | 13 December 2021 |
| Mythology + Aeronautics / Aerospace Fiction | Re-imangination of Ramayana with Hanuman and Meghnath as Primary characters from Aeronautical and Aerospace science perspective - Sukracharya tells Meghnath about wormholes and how they were used to communicate with ethereal beings. | Travelling through time | 5 January 2022 |
| Mythology + Aeronautics / Aerospace Fiction | Re-imangination of Ramayana with Hanuman and Meghnath as Primary characters from Aeronautical and Aerospace science perspective - Hanuman learns about the Wright Brothers' determination and perseverance in building the world's first successful motor-operated aeroplane. | Inspired by Nature | 17 January 2022 |
| Mythology + Aeronautics / Aerospace Fiction | Re-imangination of Ramayana with Hanuman and Meghnath as Primary characters from Aeronautical and Aerospace science perspective - Hanuman and Nala meet a wingless warrior Sampati who teaches them the science of flying. | Swimming in the air | 20 February 2022 |
| Mythology + Aeronautics / Aerospace Fiction | Re-imangination of Ramayana with Hanuman and Meghnath as Primary characters from Aeronautical and Aerospace science perspective - Jatayu’s epic flight and Sampati begins the story of how his wings caught fire | Jatayu’s epic flight | 7 March 2022 |
| Mythology + Aeronautics / Aerospace Fiction | Re-imangination of Ramayana with Hanuman and Meghnath as Primary characters from Aeronautical and Aerospace science perspective - Magnetic attraction - Nala gives a curious Hanuman a lecture on magnetism, as Jatayu and Sampati listen in | Magnetic attraction | 21 March 2022 |
| Mythology + Aeronautics / Aerospace Fiction | Re-imangination of Ramayana with Hanuman and Meghnath as Primary characters from Aeronautical and Aerospace science perspective - When things heat up - Sampati finally explains how his wings got burnt | When things heat up | 2 April 2022 |
| Mythology + Aeronautics / Aerospace Fiction | Re-imangination of Ramayana with Hanuman and Meghnath as Primary characters from Aeronautical and Aerospace science perspective - Meghnath meets Shakti learning Energy and Quantum physics - Having learnt from the Trinity, Meghnath now seeks to learn more | Energy and Quantum physics | 4 June 2022 |
| Mythology + Aeronautics / Aerospace Fiction | Re-imangination of Ramayana with Hanuman and Meghnath as Primary characters from Aeronautical and Aerospace science perspective - Nala and Hanuman build an air-powered vehicle to help them meet someone who is smarter and stronger than Nala himself! | Unravelling a surprise | 4 July 2022 |
| Mythology + Aeronautics / Aerospace Fiction | Re-imangination of Ramayana with Hanuman and Meghnath as Primary characters from Aeronautical and Aerospace science perspective - Hanuman hears about the curse on Nala and Nila, one that will have an impact in the future | Can stones float | 25 July 2022 |
| Mythology + Aeronautics / Aerospace Fiction | Re-imangination of Ramayana with Hanuman and Meghnath as Primary characters from Aeronautical and Aerospace science perspective - Meghnath is intrigued to learn about a technology that takes on another | On Stealth mode | 29 August 2022 |
| Mythology + Aeronautics / Aerospace Fiction | Re-imangination of Ramayana with Hanuman and Meghnath as Primary characters from Aeronautical and Aerospace science perspective - Nala and Hanuman learn about the centre of gravity from Nila | Balancing act | 5 September 2022 |
| Mythology + Aeronautics / Aerospace Fiction | Re-imangination of Ramayana with Hanuman and Meghnath as Primary characters from Aeronautical and Aerospace science perspective - Nala, Nila and Hanuman try to understand the different types of forces | Forces that power us | 23 September 2022 |
| Mythology + Aeronautics / Aerospace Fiction | Re-imangination of Ramayana with Hanuman and Meghnath as Primary characters from Aeronautical and Aerospace science perspective - Meghnath learns about the different types of weapons that add to Goddess Durga’s powers | Weapons of power | 14 October 2022 |
| Mythology + Aeronautics / Aerospace Fiction | Re-imangination of Ramayana with Hanuman and Meghnath as Primary characters from Aeronautical and Aerospace science perspective - Discussions about weapons prompts Meghnath to build his own little rocket launcher.You can too! | The potential of power | 5 November 2022 |
| Mythology + Aeronautics / Aerospace Fiction | Re-imangination of Ramayana with Hanuman and Meghnath as Primary characters from Aeronautical and Aerospace science perspective - This vanara king learns an illusionary trick from the master of illusions. | Smoke effect | 17 November 2022 |
| Mythology + Aeronautics / Aerospace Fiction | Re-imangination of Ramayana with Hanuman and Meghnath as Primary characters from Aeronautical and Aerospace science perspective - Vali reveals the secret to wireless electricity transfer that could work against him in the future | electrifying invention | 2 December 2022 |
| Mythology + Aeronautics / Aerospace Fiction | Re-imangination of Ramayana with Hanuman and Meghnath as Primary characters from Aeronautical and Aerospace science perspective - Sugriva learns that humans owe a lot of their scientific knowledge and inspiration for inventions to Nature | Nature, the teacher | 15 December 2022 |
| Mythology + Aeronautics / Aerospace Fiction | Re-imangination of Ramayana with Hanuman and Meghnath as Primary characters from Aeronautical and Aerospace science perspective - Meghnath learns about a principle that will give him the upper hand against his opponents during war | Getting crafty | 21 January 2023 |
| Mythology + Aeronautics / Aerospace Fiction | Re-imangination of Ramayana with Hanuman and Meghnath as Primary characters from Aeronautical and Aerospace science perspective - Meghnath discovers that Sukracharya’s life could have a connection to quantum physics | A matter of favouritism | 9 February 2023 |
| Mythology + Aeronautics / Aerospace Fiction | Re-imangination of Ramayana with Hanuman and Meghnath as Primary characters from Aeronautical and Aerospace science perspective - On National Science Day, Vali learns about the science behind Nature’s beautiful art | The artist in the sky | 27 February 2023 |
| Mythology + Aeronautics / Aerospace Fiction | Re-imangination of Ramayana with Hanuman and Meghnath as Primary characters from Aeronautical and Aerospace science perspective - Sukracharya draws a parallel between the churning of the ocean and the black hole phenomenon | Churning the ‘matter’ | 7 March 2023 |
| Mythology + Aeronautics / Aerospace Fiction | Re-imangination of Ramayana with Hanuman and Meghnath as Primary characters from Aeronautical and Aerospace science perspective - Sukracharya continues to narrate the story of how more matter came into the universe. | A baffling mystery | 31 March 2023 |
| Mythology + Aeronautics / Aerospace Fiction | Re-imangination of Ramayana with Hanuman and Meghnath as Primary characters from Aeronautical and Aerospace science perspective - Vali learns about the power of sound vibrations and the patterns they create. | Drawing with music | 14 April 2023 |
| Mythology + Aeronautics / Aerospace Fiction | Re-imangination of Ramayana with Hanuman and Meghnath as Primary characters from Aeronautical and Aerospace science perspective - Vaayu helps Hanuman tick things off his bucket list starting with a supersonic flight and view through the vortex | A view like no other | 28 April 2023 |
| Mythology + Aeronautics / Aerospace Fiction | Re-imangination of Ramayana with Hanuman and Meghnath as Primary characters from Aeronautical and Aerospace science perspective - Vaayu explains the relationship between the Moon and the stars to Hanuman | Celestial relationships | 9 June 2023 |
| Mythology + Aeronautics / Aerospace Fiction | Re-imangination of Ramayana with Hanuman and Meghnath as Primary characters from Aeronautical and Aerospace science perspective - Hanuman hears a story from Japan and sets off to explore the surface of the Moon remotely | On a lunar mission | 24 June 2023 |
| Mythology + Aeronautics / Aerospace Fiction | Re-imangination of Ramayana with Hanuman and Meghnath as Primary characters from Aeronautical and Aerospace science perspective - Hanuman learns about the Indian version of the rabbit on the Moon and is introduced to Sputnik | View from space | 8 July 2023 |
| Mythology + Aeronautics / Aerospace Fiction | Re-imangination of Ramayana with Hanuman and Meghnath as Primary characters from Aeronautical and Aerospace science perspective - Hanuman learns more about aerodynamics as he listens to the story of his birth | All in the shape | 21 July 2023 |
| Mythology + Aeronautics / Aerospace Fiction | Re-imangination of Ramayana with Hanuman and Meghnath as Primary characters from Aeronautical and Aerospace science perspective - Hanuman learns why Jambhavan sleeps for almost six months of the year | A hibernating mentor | 18 August 2023 |
| Mythology + Aeronautics / Aerospace Fiction | Re-imangination of Ramayana with Hanuman and Meghnath as Primary characters from Aeronautical and Aerospace science perspective - Hanuman meets Jambhavan and learns more about his mentor | The story of Jambhavan | 8 September 2023 |
| Mythology + Aeronautics / Aerospace Fiction | Re-imangination of Ramayana with Hanuman and Meghnath as Primary characters from Aeronautical and Aerospace science perspective - Hanuman and Nala learn about the various aspects of music from Jambhava and also build a spacecraft. | A musical interlude | 23 September 2023 |
| Mythology + Aeronautics / Aerospace Fiction | Re-imangination of Ramayana with Hanuman and Meghnath as Primary characters from Aeronautical and Aerospace science perspective - Before King Dasaratha tells the story of how he defeated the asura Shambara, he offers an explanation of the different kinds of aircraft. | Powered by air | 27 October 2023 |
| Mythology + Aeronautics / Aerospace Fiction | Re-imangination of Ramayana with Hanuman and Meghnath as Primary characters from Aeronautical and Aerospace science perspective - Dasaratha continues the story of how he defeated Shambara and how Kaikeyi helped him in the battle | A battle and two boons | 16 November 2023 |
| Mythology + Aeronautics / Aerospace Fiction | Re-imangination of Ramayana with Hanuman and Meghnath as Primary characters from Aeronautical and Aerospace science perspective - Lakshmana and Shatrughna fall foul of Kaikeyi and Manthara but regain ground with a lesson in the science behind archery | Enter the twins | 1 December 2023 |
| Mythology + Aeronautics / Aerospace Fiction | Re-imangination of Ramayana with Hanuman and Meghnath as Primary characters from Aeronautical and Aerospace science perspective - Rama explains thrust vectoring and guided missile technology to Kaikeyi but also makes an enemy of Manthara | The Prince of Ayodhya | 6 January 2024 |
| Mythology + Aeronautics / Aerospace Fiction | Re-imangination of Ramayana with Hanuman and Meghnath as Primary characters from Aeronautical and Aerospace science perspective - Kakabhushundi learns about the magnitude of the universe from Sage Lomasa | Of universes and multiverses | 2 February 2024 |
| Mythology + Aeronautics / Aerospace Fiction | Re-imangination of Ramayana with Hanuman and Meghnath as Primary characters from Aeronautical and Aerospace science perspective - Kakabhushundi time travels into the future to see Sir C.V. Raman in action and learns of his connection to India’s National Science Day | Learning of the Raman Effect | 22 February 2024 |
| Mythology + Aeronautics / Aerospace Fiction | Re-imangination of Ramayana with Hanuman and Meghnath as Primary characters from Aeronautical and Aerospace science perspective - When he changes his game with Lord Rama, Kakabhushundi gets a glimpse of the planet’s wonders | Earthy matters | 29 March 2024 |
| Mythology + Aeronautics / Aerospace Fiction | Re-imangination of Ramayana with Hanuman and Meghnath as Primary characters from Aeronautical and Aerospace science perspective - Sage Lomasa takes Kakabhushundi further into the mysteries of the Solar System | Spheres that spin | 26 April 2024 |
| Mythology + Aeronautics / Aerospace Fiction | Re-imangination of Ramayana with Hanuman and Meghnath as Primary characters from Aeronautical and Aerospace science perspective - Meghnath and his brothers are going to be tested by their grand-uncle, Prahasta, who is also the commander in chief of Lanka’s army | Ready for the race | 26 June 2024 |
| Mythology + Aeronautics / Aerospace Fiction | Re-imangination of Ramayana with Hanuman and Meghnath as Primary characters from Aeronautical and Aerospace science perspective - Meghnath and his brothers face stormy winds, turbulence and birds, as they take to the sky in Prahasta’s test | The first challenge | 12 July 2024 |
| Mythology + Aeronautics / Aerospace Fiction | Re-imangination of Ramayana with Hanuman and Meghnath as Primary characters from Aeronautical and Aerospace science perspective - Meghnath uses observations from Nature to pilot his craft, as his brothers and he face Prahasta’s tests | Winging it | 16 August 2024 |
| Mythology + Aeronautics / Aerospace Fiction | Re-imangination of Ramayana with Hanuman and Meghnath as Primary characters from Aeronautical and Aerospace science perspective - Prahasta begins to tell Ravana’s sons the story of how their father got the Pushpaka Vimana | Fight over a flying machine | 20 September 2024 |
| Mythology + Aeronautics / Aerospace Fiction | Re-imangination of Ramayana with Hanuman and Meghnath as Primary characters from Aeronautical and Aerospace science perspective - Meghnath explains the concept of frequency and communicating through resonance and oscillations | A question of frequency | 25 October 2024 |
| Mythology + Aeronautics / Aerospace Fiction | Re-imangination of Ramayana with Hanuman and Meghnath as Primary characters from Aeronautical and Aerospace science perspective - Continuing the story of how Ravana got the pushpaka vimana from Kubera | Preparing for war | 29 November 2024 |

## Filmography

Key :
| † | Denotes films that have not yet been released |
List of works in feature films / Music Albums / Short films :
| Year | Film / Music Album | Director | Screenwriter | Lyricist | Actor | Role / Awards | Ref. |
| 2015 | Oru Cup Coffee (Short Film) | Yes | Yes | | - | - | |
| 2017 | Naalu Peruku Nalladhuna Edhuvum Thappilla | - | - | - | Yes | Johnny | |
| 2017 | Thiraikadal † | - | - | Yes | Yes | - | |
| 2017 | Kadhal Neeye (Music Album) | - | - | Yes | Yes | Warrior, Artist | |
| 2022 | Hey Babe (Music Album) | - | - | Yes | - | - | |
| 2024 | The Stealer † | Yes | Yes | Yes | - | 8 Awards and 14 International festival selections. Best Experimental Film Award in IFA - Indie Film Awards - Pakistan | [2][3] [109] |