By Matters India reporter
Shillong, August 26, 2019: A pioneer Salesian missionary in the northeastern Indian state of Tripura died August 25 following a massive heart attack at Salesian Provincial House at Mawlai in Shillong.
Father Joseph Kizhakkechennadu, popularly known as K J Joseph, was 68.
Shillong Provincial Secretary Father Daniel Cajee informs that the funeral will be held at Laitumkhrah Cathedral Cemetery at 2 pm on August 27. Funeral Mass is at Savio Juniorate Mawlai.
The Holy Cross Fathers cared for the Tripura mission since 1930s.
Father Joseph, an alumnus of Salesian College Sonada, was the first Salesian parish priest of Shantir Rani Church, Mariamnagar from 1991 to 1993..
Salesian Father Joseph Pulinthanath, a colleague of Father Joseph, said his companion watched TV for some time after dinner with the community. Since he felt little uneasy, he went to the room. “After a few minutes, he was found lying on the floor, lifeless. Heart attack perhaps. God rest his soul.”
Sunil Lucas from Kolkata recalls Father Joseph as “a laid back, easy going priest who was never fazed by adverse circumstances. Behind his ever cheerful demeanor was a highly intelligent, able administrator who got things done without ever breaking into a sweat.”
Assistant Professor and HoD Mass Communications at Tripura University Sunil Kalai wrote on Facebook, “You (Fr. Joseph) are someone who had always been dear, a mentor; whose footsteps I follow. A visionary man I know who stand by when the whole world goes astray. Like me there are millions of hearts in whom you shall remain eternal. May You “Rest in Peace.”
Fathers Kizhakkechennadu and Pulinthanath were awarded for internationally acclaimed Kokborok feature film YARWNG (Roots) that won the first National Film Award for Tripura state at 56th National Film Awards for 2008.. The then President of India Pratibha Devisingh Patil handed over the medal and certificate to both priests.
Father Pulinthanath dressed in white cassock and Father Kizhakkechennadu in his preferred saffron lungi and half-sleeved white kurta were among 52 film award winners of 2008, along with Bollywood actor Priyanka Chopra and the doyen of Indian Cinematography V.K. Murthy who was awarded country’s highest honor in cinema – the Dada Saheb Phalke Award.
Kizhakkechennadu, producer of both the films Mathia and Yarwng claimed cinematic traditions from his legendary relative John Abraham, a genius in Malayalam Cinema and founder of a people’s cinema movement called Odessa.
Photo caption: Fr K.J. Joseph receiving National Film Award 2008 from President of India.