Template:Infobox animal
Chirakkal Kalidasan (born c. 1980) is an Asian elephant. He is the third tallest elephant in India. He is famous for his huge fan base and had a major role in the 2017 epic film, Baahubali 2: The Conclusion. He is also known as Gajaraja Bahubali.
Chirakkal Kalidasan stands at 308 cm (10 ft 1+1⁄2 in), making him the third tallest captive elephant in the state after Thechikottukavu Ramachandran and Thrikkadavoor Sivaraju.<ref>"Thrikkadavoor Sivaraju". Elephant Database. Retrieved August 21, 2024.</ref> He is also known for having won in Thalappokkam (heads-up) competitions.<ref>"ചെറായി പൂരം: തലപ്പൊക്കത്തില് കാളിദാസന് | Ernakulam | Kerala | Deshabhimani | Sunday Feb 12, 2017". www.deshabhimani.com. Retrieved 2021-01-13. </ref>
Early life
Kalidasan was born wild in the Karnataka forests. He was brought to Kerala by Manissey Hari and was later bought by Chirakkal Madhu in the 2000s.<ref>"Chirakkal Kalidasan Kerala Elephant - One of the tallest elephant in Kerala ". Aanachandam - Kerala Elephants. Retrieved 2021-01-13.</ref> [better source needed]
Recognition
Kalidasan is a star elephant in Malayalam cinema.
Movies
Kalidasan is known for acting in movies, notably in the 2017 epic film, Baahubali 2: The Conclusion.<ref>"കേരളത്തിലെ ഗജരാജാക്കന്മാർ". Janam TV. 2020-08-15. Retrieved 2021-01-13.</ref> He has also acted in the movies Pattabhishekham, Punyalan Agarbattis and Dil Se...<ref>"ബാഹുബലിയുടെ വിജയത്തിനൊപ്പം താരപദവിയിലേക്ക് ചിറക്കൽ കാളിദാസൻ". ManoramaOnline (in മലയാളം). Retrieved 2021-01-13.</ref>
Video album
In 2018, he acted in a musical video called "Gajam", sung by Vijay Yesudas.<ref>"പടനായകന്റെ വീര്യവുമായി ചിറക്കല് കാളിദാസന്; ഹരമായി 'ഗജം'". Mathrubhumi. 20 February 2018. Retrieved 2021-01-13.</ref>
Others
In 2020, he became a part of the promo video by Indian Super League club Kerala Blasters.<ref>"കൊമ്പ് കുലുക്കാന് ബ്ലാസ്റ്റേഴ്സ് ഇറങ്ങുന്നു; ഒറിജിനല് കൊമ്പന് ദാ ഇവിടെയുണ്ട്... | bahubali fame elephant chirakkal kalidasan acted in kerala blasters video". www.asianetnews.com. Retrieved 2021-01-13.</ref><ref>"ഗജരാജ ബാഹുബലി ചിറക്കൽ കാളിദാസൻ ഇനി ബ്ലാസ്റ്റേഴ്സ് പരസ്യത്തിൽ". The News Today. 2020-11-20. Archived from the original on 2021-01-14. Retrieved 2021-01-13.</ref>
In the early 2010s, he was given the name Junior Thechikkot by elephant lovers.<ref>Mundanthara, Vinu (2018-05-13). "ചിറയ്ക്കൽ കാളിദാസൻ". Aanakkazhchakal. Retrieved 2021-01-13.</ref>
Kalidasan is also known for taking part in photoshoots with actors and models.<ref>"ചിറക്കൽ കാളിദാസനൊപ്പം ഒരു ഫോട്ടോഷൂട്ട്, ദൃശ്യ രഘുനാഥിന്റെ പുതിയ ചിത്രങ്ങൾ ശ്രദ്ധ നേടുന്നു". മലയാളം ന്യൂസ് പോർട്ടൽ. 2020-08-28. Retrieved 2021-01-13.</ref>