Shobana Chandrakumar Pillai (born 21 March 1970[1][2]); known mononymously as Shobana, is an Indian actress and Bharatanatyam dancer, who works predominantly in Malayalam, Telugu and Tamil films. She is a recipient of two National Film Awards, one Kerala State Film Awards and two Filmfare Awards South. In 2011, Shobana received the Kalaimamani by Tamil Nadu Government.[3] She established herself as one of the leading South Indian actresses of her time.[4][5][6]
Shobana | |
|---|---|
.jpg) Shobana in 2009 | |
| Born | Shobana Chandrakumar Pillai 21 March 1970 Trivandrum, Kerala, India |
| Occupations |
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| Years active | 1980–present |
| Children | 1 |
| Relatives |
|
| Family | Travancore family |
| Awards |
|
| Website | actressshobana |
In a career spanning over four decades, Shobana has starred in 230 films across several languages.[7][8] She has earned two National Film Award for Best Actress for her performances in the Malayalam film Manichitrathazhu (1993) and the English film Mitr, My Friend (2001). The former also won her the Kerala State Film Award for Best Actress.[9][10] Additionally, she received two Filmfare Award for Best Actress – Malayalam for her performance in Innale (1990) and Thenmavin Kombath (1994).[11][12][13]
Shobhana is also a Bharatanatyam dancer who received her training under Chitra Visweswaran and Padma Subrahmanyam.[14] She emerged as an independent performer and choreographer in her twenties and currently runs a dance school, Kalarpana, in Chennai.[9] In 2006, the Government of India honoured her with the Padma Shri for her contributions towards the arts.[15][16] In 2013, she received Kerala Sangeetha Nataka Akademi Fellowship, also known as Kalarathna, for her contributions to the performing arts.[17] She received honorary doctorates from Vinayaka Mission's Research Foundation in 2018,[18] Dr. MGR Educational and Research Institute in 2019[19] and Sree Sankaracharya University of Sanskrit in 2022.[20]
Career
editFilm career
editShobana made her debut as a child artist. In 1980, she won the Best Child Artiste Award for her role in the Tamil movie, Mangala Nayagi, a remake of the Hindi film Saajan Bina Suhagan.[21]
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She also starred in the Telugu film Bhakta Dhruva Markendaya in 1982, an acclaimed all children film made in both Tamil and Telugu.[22][23] As an adult, she was introduced to the film industry through the Malayalam film April 18 (1984), by director Balachandra Menon. In the same year, she debuted in the Tamil film industry with Enakkul Oruvan (1984), directed by SP Muthuraman.[10] 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.[24]
Her other major films include Rudraveena (1988), Meleparambil Aanveedu, Kanamarayathu (1984) Ithiri Poove Chuvanna Poove, Yathra (1985), Anantaram (1987), 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.[25] Shobana also acted in the Tamil period film Kochadaiiyaan (2014).[7]
In Rudraveena (1984), alongside Mega Star Chiranjeevi, she played classical dancer Lalitha Sivajyothi, who belongs to a lower caste and is denied entry into the temple. In Abhinandana (1988), she paired with Karthik, and essayed his love interest, who aspires to become a classical dancer. In Kokila (1990), she paired with Naresh, and In Alludugaru (1990) she starred opposite Mohan Babu and was a remake of Malayalam film Chithram. 1 April Viduthala and Rowdy Gari Pellam were other Telugu films in 1991.[26]
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".[27]
Following her National Award win in 1993, Shobana became highly selective about her films.[28]
Classical dance career
edit
Shobana is a Bharatanatyam dancer.[29] 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.[30] Shobana started performing in the Soorya Music & Dance festival organised by Soorya Krishnamoorthy from the year 1994.[31]
In 1994, Shobana founded a school for classical dance Bharatanatyam in Chennai named Kalarpana.[32]
Personal life
editShobana is the niece of the Travancore sisters – Lalitha, Padmini and Ragini, who were Indian classical dancers and actresses.[33] She remains unmarried and in 2011, adopted a daughter, becoming a single mother.[34][35][36]
Filmography
edit| † | Denotes films that have not yet been released |
Malayalam
editTelugu
edit| Year | Title | Role | Notes | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1982 | Bhakta Dhruva Markandeya | Sunithi Devi | Children's film | |
| 1984 | Marchandi Mana Chattalu | Uma | ||
| 1985 | Marana Sasanam | Lalitha | ||
| 1986 | Srimathi Kanuka | Padma | ||
| Vijrumbhana | Shobha | |||
| Vikram | Radha | |||
| Dagudu Moothalu | Radha | |||
| Asthram | Padmini | |||
| 1987 | Muddula Manavudu | Hemalatha | ||
| Manavadostunnaadu | Roopa | |||
| Ajeyudu | Rekha | |||
| Muvva Gopaladu | Krishna veni | |||
| Trimurtulu | Latha | |||
| 1988 | Rudraveena | Lalita Shiva Jyoti | [26] | |
| Abhinandana | Rani | [26] | ||
| 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 | [26] | |
| Appula Appa Rao | Subba Laxmi | |||
| Rowdy Gaari Pellam | Janaki | |||
| Minor Raja | Santhana Lakshmi | |||
| Manchi Roju | Padma | |||
| Rowdy Alludu | Sita | |||
| Alludu Diddina Kapuram | Sita | |||
| Keechu Raallu | Monica | |||
| 1992 | Ahankari | Shobana | ||
| Asadhyulu | Jyoti | |||
| Champion | Sandhya | |||
| Hello Darling | Bharathi | |||
| 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 | ||
| 2024 | Kalki 2898 AD | Mariam | Also sung the song "Theme of Shambala" |
Tamil
edit| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1980 | Mangala Nayagi | Herself | Child artist |
| Manmatha Ragangal | Herself | 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
edit| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1985 | Giri Baale | Neelaveni | |
| 1990 | Shivashankar | Girija |
Hindi
edit| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1998 | Swami Vivekananda | Dancer | |
| 2007 | Apna Asmaan | Padmini Kumar | |
| 2008 | Mere Baap Pehle Aap | Anuradha "Anu" Joshi |
English
edit| 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
editTitles and honours
edit| Year | Honour | Organisation | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2000 | Grade A Top | Doordarshan | [38] |
| 2006 | Padma Shri | Government of India | [39][40] |
| 2011 | Kalaimamani | Tamil Nadu Eyal Isai Nataka Manram, Government of Tamil Nadu | [41] |
| 2012 | Arch of Excellence | All India Achievers Conference | [42] |
| 2013 | Kalarathna | Kerala Sangeetha Nataka Academy | [43] |
| 2018 | Honorary doctorate (D.Litt) | Vinayaka Mission's Research Foundation | [18] |
| 2019 | Dr. MGR Educational and Research Institute | [19] | |
| 2022 | Sree Sankaracharya University of Sanskrit | [20] |
Film awards
editTelevision
edit| Year | Title | Channel | Language | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1991 | Penn | DD Podhigai | Tamil | Serial |
| 1999 | Uravugal | Vijay TV | ||
| 2010 | Jodi Number one season 5 | Reality show as Judge | ||
| Super Jodi | Surya TV | Malayalam | ||
| 2015 | D 3 (Grand finale) | Mazhavil Manorama | ||
| 2017 | Midukki | |||
| 2021 | Margazhi Thingal | YouTube | Tamil | Music Video[55] |
References
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- ^ "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. Archived from the original on 24 January 2021. Retrieved 15 March 2024.
- ^ "Beyond Bollywood: The biggest icons of the south film industry". Vogue. 21 October 2019. Retrieved 27 September 2021.
- ^ "Shobhana, a never fading grace that blessed Malayalam cinema". The Times of India. 21 March 2018. Retrieved 29 November 2020.
- ^ K. Jeshi (31 March 2005). "Thinking actress". The Hindu. Archived from the original on 9 November 2012. Retrieved 13 July 2013.
- ^ a b "In pics: Shobana dedicates her dance to 'Krishna'". CNN-IBN. Archived from the original on 16 August 2012. Retrieved 31 March 2015.
- ^ Padmanabhan, S. (7 February 2020). "Shobana returns to cinema after seven years with Malayalam movie 'Varane Avashyamunde'". The Hindu. ISSN 0971-751X. Retrieved 20 February 2024.
- ^ 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. "SHOBANA - IN FINE FORM". Filmfare. Archived from the original on 3 February 1999. Retrieved 30 November 2020.
- ^ Mahesh, Chitra (1 May 2014). "Life on her own terms". The Hindu. ISSN 0971-751X. Retrieved 9 August 2020.
- ^ "Padma Awards". Ministry of Communications and Information Technology. Retrieved 23 July 2009.
- ^ "Welcome to Sify.com". sify.com. Archived from the original on 15 December 2013. Retrieved 31 March 2015.
- ^ "Governor's Call to Protect Artistes". The New Indian Express. 28 March 2014. Retrieved 2 August 2024.
- ^ a b "Shobana - about". actressshobana.com. Retrieved 1 August 2024.
- ^ a b "Honorary doctorate conferred on CM". The Hindu. 21 October 2019. Retrieved 1 February 2020.
- ^ a b Ragin, S (1 January 2022). "Governor approved varsity syndicate's recommendation to grant D Litt to three people". Mathrubhumi. Retrieved 29 April 2022.
- ^ "The ultimate quiz on actress Shobana". OTTPlay. 21 March 2022. Archived from the original on 5 September 2022. Retrieved 5 September 2022.
- ^ "Bhakta Dhruva Markandeya 1982 Telugu Movie Wiki, Cast Crew, Songs, Videos, Release Date". MovieGQ. Retrieved 7 November 2021.
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- ^ "In her own groove". The Hindu. 3 November 2012. Retrieved 31 March 2015.
- ^ "In pics: Shobana dedicates her dance to 'Krishna'". CNN-IBN. Archived from the original on 16 August 2012. Retrieved 31 March 2015.
- ^ a b c d "Happy Birthday Shobana: 6 films of the veteran actress one must watch". The Times of India. 21 March 2020. ISSN 0971-8257. Retrieved 20 February 2024.
- ^ S.R. Praveen (17 November 2013). "Sequel fails to impress". The Hindu. Retrieved 31 March 2015.
- ^ "Shobhana changing track". 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". 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.
- ^ "Shobhana adopts a baby girl". Sify. Archived from the original on 15 March 2015. Retrieved 2 February 2020.
- ^ Davis, Maggie (16 June 2017). "Is actress Shobana really getting married or is this just a rumour?". India News. Retrieved 5 January 2021.
- ^ "Mohanlal, Shobana's 'L360' begins filming". The Hindu. 22 April 2024. Retrieved 25 April 2024.
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- ^ "Padma Awards Directory (1954–2014)" (PDF). Ministry of Home Affairs (India). 21 May 2014. pp. 117–166. Archived from the original (PDF) on 14 September 2017. Retrieved 22 March 2016.
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