Divyaa Unni is an Indian former actress and classical dancer of Indian origin who teaches various forms of dance such as Bharathanatyam, Kuchipudi and Mohiniyattom. As an actress, she mainly appeared in Malayalam language films, in addition to few Tamil, Telugu and Kannada language films too.
Divyaa Unni | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Born | |
| Nationality | American |
| Occupations |
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| Years active | 1987–2019 |
| Children | 3 |
| Relatives |
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Early life
editDivyaa Unni was born to Ponnethmadhatil Unnikrishnan and Kizhkemadhatil Uma Devi at Kochi, Kerala, India.[citation needed] Her mother Uma Devi, is a Sanskrit teacher and is the Head of Sanskrit Department; at Bhavans Vidya Mandir, Girinagar & was awarded the National Award for Teachers (India),[1][2] in the year 2013 by the President of India Shri Pranab Mukherjee. She has a sister, Vidhya Unni, who has worked as a lead in couple of Malayalam movies. Divyaa completed her schooling in Bhavan's Vidya Mandir, Girinagar.
She graduated with a bachelor's degree in Communicative English from St. Teresa's College, Ernakulam.[citation needed] Divyaa is related (cousin) to Malayalam actress Meera Nandan and Remya Nambeesan.[citation needed]
The actress has two children in her first marriage.[citation needed]
Film career
editDivyaa has acted as a lead in over 50 films in Malayalam, Tamil, Telugu and Kannada.[citation needed]
As a child, Divyaa got her first break in the film Neeyethra Dhanya (1987) when she was a student in second grade. It was followed by Pookkalam Varavayi (1991) directed by Kamal and O' Faby (1993). She also did a TV serial Iniyonnu Vishramikkatte directed by Vinayan.[citation needed]
Divyaa's first feature film as a lead actress was Kalyana Sowgandhikam (1996) with actors like Dileep and Kalabhavan Mani in the lead roles - one she did when she was sixteen. Subsequently, she worked with the actors Mammootty, Mohanlal, Suresh Gopi, Jayaram and Dileep and directors Bharathan; I V Sasi; Sibi Malayil and Lohithadas.[citation needed]
Dance career
editDivyaa started her Bharatanatyam dance training at the age of three,[3] thereafter she was trained in Kuchipudi, and Mohiniyattam. Subsequently, Divyaa Unni was crowned, in 1990 and 1991, ''Kalathilakom'' in Kerala School Kalolsavam statewide competitions. On India's premier Television Channel Doordarshan, she has presented a variety of Indian dance art-forms to such as Bharatanatyam, Kuchipudi, Mohiniyattam, and Indian folk dance. She continues to perform at various Indian dance festivals[4][5][6][7] in India[8] and international stages throughout North America, Europe and Persian Gulf countries.
She has received many awards including the Aravindaksha Memorial Award – the Abhinaya Tilaka Puraskaram for the best state dance performance.[citation needed]
In the pursuit of promoting Indian culture in the West, Divyaa is developing the artistic talents of young children in the United States, where she currently resides. With this goal, she is currently the Director of Sreepadam School of Arts in Houston, Texas, United States.[citation needed]
Filmography
editThis section of a biography of a living person does not include any references or sources. (August 2022) |
| Year | Title | Role | Language | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2019 | Aakasha Ganga 2 | Maya / Daisy | Malayalam | Photo archive |
| 2019 | Thanka Bhasma Kuriyitta Thamburatti | Herself | Photo archive | |
| 2013 | Musafir | Herself | Guest appearance | |
| 2010 | Upadeshiyude Makan | Irin | ||
| 2008 | Magic Lamp | Viji | Delayed release | |
| 2006 | Illalu Priyuralu | Divya | Telugu | Delayed release |
| 2001 | Aandan Adimai | Gayathri | Tamil | |
| Oru Apoorva Pranayakatha | Meenakshi | Malayalam | ||
| Nakshathragal Parayathirunnathu | Shivaranjini | |||
| Vedham | Anitha Sanjay | Tamil | ||
| Jameendar | Malayalam | |||
| Baanallu Neene Bhuviyallu Neene | Lalitha / Anita | Kannada | ||
| 2000 | Palayathu Amman | Savithri | Tamil | |
| Sabhash | Shanthi | |||
| Kannan Varuvaan | Parvathi | |||
| Mark Antony | Nimmi | Malayalam | ||
| 1999 | Niram | Herself | Guest appearance | |
| Aakasha Ganga | Maya / Daisy | |||
| Aayiram Meni | Mallika | |||
| Usthad | Padmaja / Pappa | |||
| Friends | Uma | |||
| 1998 | Sooryaputhran | Maya | ||
| The Truth | Nimmi | |||
| Ayushman Bhava | Sumangala | |||
| Oru Maravathoor Kanavu | Annie | |||
| Pranayavarnangal | Maya | |||
| 1997 | Varnapakittu | Nancy | ||
| Churam | Maya | |||
| Katha Nayagan | Gopika | |||
| Karunyam | Indu | |||
| Nee Varuvolam | Revathi | |||
| Shibiram | Minikutty | |||
| 1996 | Kalyana Sowgandhikam | Athira | Debut as Lead actress | |
| 1993 | Sowbhagyam | Indhu's Sister | Child artist | |
| 1993 | O' Faby | Child artist | ||
| 1991 | Pookkalam Varavayi | School girl | ||
| 1987 | Neeyethra Dhanya | Young Shyamala |
Television
editThis section of a biography of a living person does not include any references or sources. (August 2022) |
- Serials
- Neeyum Njanum (Zee Keralam)
- Iniyonnu Vishramikkate (DD Malayalam)
- Shankupushpam (Asianet)
- Kunjikkoonan (DD Malayalam)
- Manassu (Surya TV)
- Telefilm
- Pranayam (Surya TV)
- TV shows as Host
- American Jalakam (Asianet)
- Asianet Film Awards (Asianet)
- America Today (Kairali TV)
- Pravaham
- Poomottukal (DD Malayalam)
- TV shows as Judge
- Comedy Stars Season 3 (Asianet)
- Top singer season 2 (Flowers TV)
- Oru Chiri Iru chiri Bumper Chiri (Mazhavil Manorama)
- Star Magic (Flowers tv)
References
edit- ^ "National award for Sanskrit teacher Ms. Umadevi K. Ms. Umadevi K. Sanskrit teacher bagged the national Award for Best Teacher 2013 instituted by MHRD, New Delhi. She was invited to attend the award ceremony at New Delhi on Teachers Day". bhavans.info/news/show_other_news.asp?nid=774&kid=32. Archived from the original on 23 October 2017. Retrieved 1 April 2017.
- ^ "List of teachers who were awarded National Award on Teachers Day 2014 | Curriculum Magazine". www.curriculum-magazine.com. Retrieved 27 May 2017.
- ^ "Reinventing the Panchakanya Women Through Bharatanatyam". Brown Girl Magazine. 6 January 2017. Archived from the original on 20 December 2019. Retrieved 27 May 2017.
- ^ M, Athira (9 November 2017). "Artistic endeavours". The Hindu.
- ^ "A lifelong passion for dance". 9 November 2017.
- ^ "Divya Unni back on stage with mesmerizing dance steps - Video".
- ^ Nampoothiri, Hareesh N. (16 November 2017). "Review: Young dancers take the stage at Soorya's 'Parampara' festival". The Hindu.
- ^ "Review - The flavors of a festival - Padma Jayaraj". narthaki.com.
External links
edit
- Divya Unni at IMDb
- Divyaa Unni on Facebook
- Divyaa Unni on Instagram