Indian-origin actor honoured in New Zealand

Indian-origin actor Jacob Rajan has been made a member of New Zealand Order of Merit for his contributions to theatre.

Rajan was honoured Thursday at an investiture ceremony by New Zealand Governor General Sir Jerry Mataparae at Government House here, local media reported.

Rajan is a founding partner of the Indian Ink theatre company.

He is known for collaborating with his partner in Indian Ink, Justin Lewis, for creating plays like "Krishnan's Diary", "The Candlestickmaker", "The Pickle King", "The Dentist's Chair", and "The Guru of Chai".

He has performed these plays across New Zealand and internationally as well.

He had won the best actor award in the 2010 Chapman Tripp Theatre Awards for "The Guru of Chai".

He has also received an accolade for acting excellence and was nominated for the stage award for best actor at the Edinburgh Fringe, according to the Indian Ink website.

He has also featured on the New Zealand TV series, "Outrageous Fortune" and "Shortland Street".

His family has its origins in Kerala state of India.

Rajan was born in Malaysia and immigrated to New Zealand when he was four years old.

A graduate of Toi Whakaari, the New Zealand Drama School, he also holds a degree in microbiology and a teacher's diploma.