Prakash

Prakash is a common masculine given name and surname in South Asia, widely used in Nepal, India and Sri Lanka. The word prakash is derived from the Sanskrit word , meaning "bright light" or "sun light" or "moon light" or "light", from a combination of meaning "forth" and meaning "shining." Hence the meaning "luminous; shining forth". Metaphorically, it designates the person as a source of enlightenment or wisdom.

==Given name== Notable persons with this given name include: Prakash (film director), Kannada film director Prakash Yashwant Ambedkar (born 1954), Indian politician from Maharashtra Prakash Amritraj (born 1983), Indian tennis player Prakash Amte, Indian medical doctor and social worker Prakash Bare, Indian Malayalam actor Prakash Bhandari (born 1935), Indian cricketer Prakash Dahake, Indian politician from Maharashtra Prakash Javadekar (born 1951), Indian politician from Madhya Pradesh Prakash Jha (born 1952), Indian film producer-director-screenwriter Prakash John (born 1947), Canadian rock bassist Prakash Karat (born 1948), Indian communist politician Prakash Mehra (1939–2009), Indian Hindi film producer and director Prakash Munda, Indian cricketer Prakash Padukone (born 1955), Indian badminton player Prakash Persad, Trinidad and Tobago politician Prakash Raj (born 1965), Indian film actor, director, producer and television presenter Prakash Vir Shastri (1923–1977), Indian politician from Uttar Pradesh Prakash Kumar Singh chairman of Steel Authority of India Limited