Shobana
Shobana Chandrakumar Pillai (born 21 March 1970) is an Indian actress and Bharatanatyam dancer. She acts predominantly in Malayalam films along with Telugu and Tamil films with few Hindi, Kannada and English films. She has won two National Film Awards, one Kerala State Film Awards, two Filmfare Awards South, with 14 Nominations for Best Actress Category in three different south Indian languages, Tamil Nadu State's Kalaimamani Award in 2011 and numerous other awards.[3][4]
Shobana | |
|---|---|
Shobana - danseuse actress | |
| Born | Shobana Chandrakumar Pillai 21 March 1970[1][2] Thiruvananthapuram, India |
| Occupations |
|
| Years active | 1980–present |
| Children | Narayani Chandrakumar (adopted) |
| Relatives | Travancore family |
| Awards | Padma Shri (2006) |
| Website | actressshobana |
She won the National Film Award for Best Actress twice, for her performances in the Malayalam film Manichitrathazhu (1993) and the English film Mitr, My Friend (2001). Subsequent to the year 1999, Shobana turned extremely selective about her films.[5][6][7][8][9]
Shobana was trained under the Bharata Natyam dancers Chitra Visweswaran and Padma Subrahmanyam. She emerged as an independent performer and choreographer in her twenties and currently runs a dance school, Kalarpana, in Chennai.[5] In 2006, the Government of India honoured her with the Padma Shri for her contributions towards the arts.[10][11]
In 2014, the Kerala State Government honoured her with the Kala Ratna Award. In 2019, she was bestowed an honorary doctorate from Dr. M.G.R. Educational and Research Institute.[12] In 2022, she was bestowed an Doctor of Letters degree from Sree Sankaracharya University of Sanskrit.[13]
Personal life
She is the niece of the Travancore sisters – Lalitha, Padmini and Ragini, all of whom were Indian classical dancers and actresses.[14]
Shobhana is single. In 2011, she became a single-parent mother to a girl child named Anantha Narayani through adoption.[15][16][17][18]
Career
Film career
Shobana made her debut as a child artist. She had a major role in the Tamil movie Mangala Nayagi in 1979 directed by Krishnan–Panju, starring Srikanth and K. R. Vijaya, which was the remake of the Hindi film Saajan Bina Suhagan, for which she won the Best Child Artiste Award.[citation needed]
She also starred in the Telugu film Bhakta Dhruva Markendaya in 1982, an acclaimed all children film made in both Tamil and Telugu.[19][20] As an adult, she was introduced to the film industry through the Malayalam film April 18, by director Balachandra Menon. Her realistic portrayal of a simple girl-next-door appealed to audiences and she went on to work in numerous films. In the same year, she entered the Tamil film industry and acted in Enakkul Oruvan, directed by SP Muthuraman.[6] Enakkul Oruvan didn't perform well at the box office and Shobana's commercial landing was stalled as she went back into Malayalam films. She did come back to act in occasional Tamil films opposite Satyaraj (Mallu Vetti Minor, Vaathiyar Veetu Pillai), Bhagyaraj (Ithu Namma Aalu) and Vijayakanth (Ponmana Selvan, En Kitta Mothathey) in the early 90s – these roles were generally glamorous in which Shobana generally acted as the beautiful, posh and haughty city girl who is eventually charmed by the village boy.[21]
Her other major films include Rudraveena (1988), Meleparambil Aanveedu, Kanamarayathu, Ithiri Poove Chuvanna Poove, Yathra(1985), Anantaram, Nadodikkattu (1987), Vellanakalude Nadu (1988), Idhu Namma Aalu (1988), Siva (1989), Innale (1990), Kalikkalam (1990), Thalapathi (1991), Pappayude Swantham Appoos (1992), Manichitrathazhu (1993), Thenmavin Kombath (1994), Minnaram (1994), Mazhayethum Munpe (1995), Hitler (1996),Agni Sakshi (1999), Dance like a Man (2003), Makalkku (2005), Thira (2013) and Varane Avashyamund (2020). From Aviduthe Pole Ivideyum to Upaharam, Shobana did sixteen movies in a single year, 1985.[22] Shobana also acted in the Tamil period film Kochadaiiyaan.[4]
Shobana won her first National Film Award for Best Actress in 1993 for her performance in AM Fazil's Manichitrathazhu. Her portrayal of Ganga Nakulan and alter-ego Nagavalli in the film was described by critics as "spell binding".[23] She received her second National Film Award for Best Actress in 2001 for her role in the Indian English language film Mitr, My Friend, directed by Revathi. Consequent to the 1993 National Award, Shobana turned extremely selective about her films.[24]
Classical dance career
Shobana is a Bharata Natyam dancer.[25] She did her dance training at the Chidambaram academy in Chennai, Tamil Nadu under Chitra Visweswaran. Shobana danced Abhinaya, a pivotal element in Bharata Natyam. She was one among the judges in Jodi No. 1, a reality show for dance aired on Vijay TV.
She started her own dance school, "Kalipinya" in 1989 and got it registered in 1992.[3]
She has worked on collaborative ventures with the likes of tabla maestro Zakir Hussain, Vikku Vinayakram and Mandolin Srinivas. Her recitals abroad include those at the World Malayalee convention, in the United States in 1985 and 1995, in Kuala Lumpur before the King and Queen of Malaysia, numerous cities in the United States, Europe, South East Asia and Australia.[26] Shobana started performing in the Soorya Music & Dance festival organised by Soorya Krishnamoorthy from the year 1994.[27]
In 1994, Shobana founded a school for classical dance Bharata Natyam in Chennai named Kalarpana.[28]
Filmography
Malayalam
Telugu
| Year | Title | Role | Sources |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1982 | Bhakta Dhruva Markandeya | Sunithi Devi | Children's film |
| 1985 | Marana Sasanam | Lalitha | |
| 1986 | Srimathi Kanuka | Padma | |
| Vijrumbhana | Shobha | ||
| Vikram | Radha | ||
| Marchandi Mana Chattalu | Uma | ||
| Asthram | Padmini | ||
| 1987 | Dagudu Moothalu | Radha | |
| Muddula Manavudu | Hemalatha | ||
| Manavadostunnaadu | Roopa | ||
| Ajeyudu | Rekha | ||
| Trimurtulu | Latha | ||
| 1988 | Rudraveena | Lalita Shiva Jyoti | |
| Abhinandana | Rani | ||
| Praja Pratinidhi | Bharathi | ||
| 1990 | Paapa Kosam | Swapna | |
| Nari Nari Naduma Murari | Shobha | ||
| Kokila | Kokila | ||
| Shourya chakra | Bharathi | ||
| Neti Siddhartha | Jyoti | ||
| Alludugaru | Kalyani | ||
| 1991 | April 1st Vidudhala | Bhuvaneshwari | |
| Appula Appa Rao | Subba Laxmi | ||
| Rowdy Gaari Pellam | Janaki | ||
| Minor Raja | Santhana Lakshmi | ||
| Manchi Roju | Padma | ||
| Rowdy Alludu | Sita | ||
| Hello Darling | Bharathi | ||
| Alludu Diddina Kapuram | Sita | ||
| Keechu Raallu | Monica | ||
| Muvva Gopaladu | Krishna veni | ||
| 1992 | Ahankari | Shobana | |
| Asadhyulu | Jyoti | ||
| Champion | Sandhya | ||
| Sivaratri | Gayatrhi | ||
| Gangwar | Pavithra | ||
| 1993 | Rowdy Gaari Teacher | Malli | |
| Naga Jyoti | Naga rani | ||
| Kannayya Kittayya | Saroja | ||
| Nippu Ravva | Guest appearance in a song | ||
| Rendilla Poojari | Radha | ||
| Rakshana | Padma | ||
| 1997 | Surya Putrulu | Ragini | |
| 2006 | Game | Uma |
Tamil
| Year | Title | Role | Sources |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1980 | Mangala Nayagi | - | Child artist |
| Manmatha Ragangal | - | Child artist | |
| 1984 | Enakkul Oruvan | Kalpana | |
| 1985 | Marudhani | Marudhani | |
| 1988 | Oray Thaai Oray Kulam | Easwari | |
| Kadhal Geetham | Rani | ||
| Idhu Namma Aalu | Banu | ||
| 1989 | Sattathin Thirappu Vizhaa | Radha | |
| Paattukku Oru Thalaivan | Shanthi | ||
| Siva | Parvathy | ||
| Ponmana Selvan | Parvathy | ||
| Vaathiyaar Veettu Pillai | Geeta | ||
| 1990 | Enkitta Mothathe | Mallika | |
| Mallu Vetti Minor | Santhana Lakshmi | ||
| Sathya Vaakku | Meena | ||
| 1991 | Mahamayi | Mahamayi | |
| Thalapathi | Subhalakshmi | ||
| 1993 | Sivarathiri | Gayathri | |
| 1996 | Thuraimugam | Rukkumani | |
| 2012 | Podaa Podi | Veena | |
| 2014 | Kochadaiiyaan | Yaaghavi |
Kannada
| Year | Title | Role | Sources |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1985 | Giri Baale | Neelaveni | |
| 1990 | Shivashankar | Girija |
Hindi
| Year | Title | Role | Sources |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1998 | Swami Vivekananda | Dancer | |
| 2007 | Apna Asmaan | Padmini Kumar | |
| 2008 | Mere Baap Pehle Aap | Anuradha Joshi (Annu) |
English
| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2002 | Mitr, My Friend | Lakshmi | Actress Revathy's directional debut |
| 2003 | Dance Like a Man | Ratna Parekh | |
| 2008 | A Little Dream | Sundar's mother | Documentary film about the journey of former Indian President A. P. J. Abdul Kalam |
Awards and recognitions
Titles and honours
| Year | Honour | Honouring body | Ref(s) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2000 | Grade A Top | Doordarshan | [29] |
| 2006 | Padma Shri | Government of India | [30][31] |
| 2011 | Kalaimamani | Tamil Nadu Eyal Isai Nataka Manram, Government of Tamil Nadu | [32] |
| 2012 | Arch of Excellence | All India Achievers Conference | [33] |
| 2013 | Kalarathna | Kerala Sangeetha Nataka Academy | [34] |
| 2019 | Honorary doctorate (D.Litt) | Dr. M.G.R. Educational and Research Institute | [12] |
Other awards
| Year | Awards and nominations | Category | Film | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1984 | Filmfare Awards South | Best Actress - Malayalam | Kanamarayathu | Nominated |
| 1985 | Yathra | Nominated | ||
| 1986 | Chilambu | Nominated | ||
| 1988 | Best Actress - Telugu | Rudraveena | Nominated | |
| Best Actress - Tamil | Idhu Namma Aalu | Nominated | ||
| 1990 | Best Actress - Malayalam | Innale | Won | |
| Best Actress - Telugu | Alludugaru | Nominated | ||
| 1991 | Rowdy Gaari Pellam | Nominated | ||
| 1993 | National Film Awards | Best Actress | Manichitrathazhu | Won |
| Kerala State Film Awards | Best Actress | Won | ||
| Filmfare Awards South | Best Actress - Malayalam | Manichitrathazhu | Nominated | |
| 1994 | Thenmavin Kombath | Won | ||
| 1996 | Kumkumacheppu | Nominated | ||
| 1999 | Agnisakshi | Nominated | ||
| 2002 | National Film Awards | Best Actress | Mitr, My Friend | Won |
| 2005 | Filmfare Awards South | Best Actress - Malayalam | Makalkku | Nominated |
| 2013 | Vanitha Film Awards | Best Actress | Thira | Won[35] |
| Filmfare Awards South | Best Actress - Malayalam | Nominated | ||
| 2021 | 10th South Indian International Movie Awards | Best Actress - Malayalam | Varane Avashyamund | Won |
Television
| Year | Title | Channel | Language | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1991 | Penn | DD Podhigai | Tamil | Serial |
| 1999 | Uravugal | Vijay TV | Tamil | Serial |
| 2010 | Jodi Number one season 5 | Vijay TV | Tamil | Reality show as Judge |
| 2010 | Super Jodi | Surya TV | Malayalam | Reality show as Judge |
| 2015 | D 3 (Grand finale) | Mazhavil Manorama | Malayalam | Reality show as Judge |
| 2017 | Midukki | Mazhavil Manorama | Malayalam | Reality show as Judge |
| 2021 | Margazhi Thingal | YouTube | Tamil | Music Video[36] |
| 2021 | Madhuram Shobhanam | Zee Keralam | Malayalam |
References
- ^ Davis, Maggie (15 June 2017). "Malayalam actress Shobana to get hitched at the age of 47?". India.com. Retrieved 1 March 2019.
- ^ "Happy Birthday Shobana: Five movies of the actress from 'Manichithrathazhu' to 'Makalkku' that you should watch right away". The Times of India. 21 March 2020. Retrieved 3 March 2021.
- ^ a b "I am an introvert, says Shobana". The Hindu. 29 December 2005.
- ^ a b . CNN-IBN. Archived from the original on 16 August 2012. Retrieved 31 March 2015.
- ^ a b "Metro Plus Bangalore / Personality : Thinking actress". The Hindu. 6 April 2005. Archived from the original on 17 October 2013. Retrieved 31 March 2015.
- ^ a b Francis, Sneha May (31 December 2008). "Shobana's mystical twist to an epic". Gulf News. Retrieved 31 March 2015.
- ^ Prakash, Asha (28 April 2018). "Shobana: I don't feel bad if I don't act in a film, as long as people are making great films". The Times of India. Retrieved 28 February 2021.
- ^ Jayaram, Deepika (5 November 2018). "Shobana extends her support for #MeToo movement". The Times of India. Retrieved 28 February 2021.
- ^ Mahadevan, Sangeeta. . Filmfare. Archived from the original on 3 February 1999. Retrieved 30 November 2020.
- ^ "Padma Awards". Ministry of Communications and Information Technology. Retrieved 23 July 2009.
- ^ . sify.com. Archived from the original on 15 December 2013. Retrieved 31 March 2015.
- ^ a b "Honorary doctorate conferred on CM". The Hindu. 21 October 2019. Retrieved 1 February 2020.
- ^ Ragin, S (1 January 2022). "Governor approved varsity syndicate's recommendation to grant D Litt to three people". Mathrubhumi. Retrieved 29 April 2022.
- ^ . Archived from the original on 8 September 2011.
- ^ "Women's Day 2016: Popular celebrities who broke all stereotypes and adopted children". Zee News. 7 March 2016. Retrieved 2 February 2020.
- ^ . Sify. Archived from the original on 15 March 2015. Retrieved 2 February 2020.
- ^ Mahesh, Chitra (1 May 2014). "Life on her own terms". The Hindu. ISSN 0971-751X. Retrieved 9 August 2020.
- ^ Davis, Maggie (16 June 2017). "Is actress Shobana really getting married or is this just a rumour?". India News. Retrieved 5 January 2021.
- ^ "Bhakta Dhruva Markandeya 1982 Telugu Movie Wiki,Cast Crew,Songs,Videos,Release Date". MovieGQ. Retrieved 7 November 2021.
- ^ "Bhakta Dhruva Markandeya on Moviebuff.com". Moviebuff.com. Retrieved 7 November 2021.
- ^ "In her own groove". The Hindu. 3 November 2012. Retrieved 31 March 2015.
- ^ . CNN-IBN. Archived from the original on 16 August 2012. Retrieved 31 March 2015.
- ^ S.R. Praveen (17 November 2013). "Sequel fails to impress". The Hindu. Retrieved 31 March 2015.
- ^ . The Hindu. 3 February 2003. Archived from the original on 1 July 2003. Retrieved 31 March 2015.
- ^ "Manorama Online – Movies". manoramaonline.com. Retrieved 31 March 2015.
- ^ "SHOBANA – exponent of Bharata Natyam – Indian classical performing arts". Artindia.net. Retrieved 12 July 2012.
- ^ "Bharathanatyam concert by Padma shri Shobana". Thiraseela.com. Retrieved 28 September 2013.
- ^ "BizHat.com – Malayalam Film Actress Shobana k". Retrieved 28 September 2013.
- ^ "About Shobana". Lakshman Sruthi.
- ^ "Padma Awardees". Padma Awards - Ministry of Home Affairs. Retrieved 1 February 2020.
- ^ "Padmashri for Shobana". kutcheribuzz.com.
- ^ "Shobana Awards". Shobana.info - Kalarpana. Retrieved 1 February 2020.
- ^ "AIAC Excellence Awards presented". The Hindu. 28 July 2012. Retrieved 1 February 2020.
- ^ "Fellowship List - Dance". Kerala Sangeetha Nataka Akademi. Retrieved 1 February 2020.
- ^ V.P, Nicy (9 September 2014). "Shobana to Play Lead in 'Thira' Sequel". ibtimes.co.in. Retrieved 28 March 2021.
- ^ CR, Sharanya; Vijayakumar, Sindhu (7 January 2021). "Nine actresses come together to render Thiruppavai and celebrate the spirit of Margazhi - Times of India". The Times of India. Retrieved 10 January 2021.
External links
- Media related to Shobana at Wikimedia Commons
- Official website
- Shobana at IMDb