Shobana
Shobana Chandrakumar Pillai (born 1970), better known mononymously as Shobana, is an Indian film actress and bharatanatyam dancer. She acts predominantly in Malayalam language, in addition to Telugu, Tamil, Hindi, Kannada and English language films. She has won two National Film Awards, one Kerala State Film Awards and numerous other awards.[3][4][5]
Shobana | |
|---|---|
 Shobana performing at the Kerala High Court in 2009 | |
| Born | Shobana Chandrakumar Pillai 1970 (age 49–50)[1][2] Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala, India |
| Nationality | Indian |
| Occupation |
|
| Years active | 1980–present |
| Children | 1 |
| Relatives | Travancore family |
| Awards | Padma Shri (2006) |
| Website | www.actressshobana.com |
Shobana established herself as a leading actress in 1980s and 1990s. She was very successful and was bored of working in Telugu movies, so she took a vacation and started working with Malayalam industry. She has worked with directors such as Adoor Gopalakrishnan, G. Aravindan, K. Balachander, AM Fazil, Mani Ratnam, Bharathan, Uppalapati Narayana Rao, and Priyadarshan. 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). Consequent to the year 1999, Shobana turned extremely selective about her films.[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.[6] 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]
Personal life
She is the niece of the Travancore sisters – Lalitha, Padmini and Ragini, all of whom were classical Indian dancers and actresses.[13] The actress Sukumari was her paternal aunt. Malayalam actress Ambika Sukumaran is her relative. Malayalam actors Vineeth is her cousin and Krishna is her nephew.[14]
In 2001, Shobana adopted a girl and named her Anantha Narayani.[15][16][17][18]
Career
Film career
Shobana made her debut as a child artist in the Bollywood film Amar Prem (1972). [19] As an adult, she was introduced to the film industry through the film April 18, by director Balachandra Menon. Her realistic portrayal of a simple girl-next-door appealed to audiences instantly 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.[7] Enakkul Oruvan didn't do well at the box office and Shobana's commercial landing was stalled and 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.[20]
Her other major films include Meleparambil Aanveedu, Kanamarayathu, Ithiri Poove Chuvanna Poove , Yathra, Rangam (1985), Anantaram, Vrutham (1987), Idhu Namma Aalu (1988), Siva (1989), Innale (1990), Thalapathi (1991), Manichitrathazhu (1993), Thenmavin Kombath (1994), Minnaram(1994), Dance like a Man (2003), Mampazhakkalam (2004) and Makalkku (2005). From Aviduthe Pole Ivideyum to Upaharam, Shobana did sixteen movies in a single year, 1985.[21] Shobana also acted in the Tamil period film Kochadaiiyaan.[4]
Shobana won her first National Film Award for Best Actress in 1994 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".[22] 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.[23]
Classical dance career
Shobana is an accomplished Bharata Natyam dancer.[24] 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.[25] Shobana started performing in the prestigious Soorya Music & Dance festival organised by Soorya Krishnamoorthy from the year 1994.[26] In 1999, Shobana along with Prabhu Deva and AR Rahman performed with a Tamil film dancing troupe at the "Michael Jackson and Friends" concert in Munich, Germany. She was also a part of Mani Ratnam's stage show, Netru, Indru, Naalai in 2000.
In 1994, Shobana founded a school for classical dance Bharata Natyam in Chennai – Kalarpana.[27]
Filmography
Malayalam
Telugu
| Year | Title | Role | Sources |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1982 | Bhakta Dhruva Markandeya | Sunithi Devi | |
| 1985 | Marana Sasanam | Lalitha | |
| 1986 | Srimathi Kanuka | Padma | |
| 1986 | Vijrumbhana | Shobha | |
| 1993 | Naga Jyoti | Gayathri | |
| 1986 | Vikram | Radha | |
| 1986 | Marchandi Mana Chattalu | Uma | |
| 1986 | Asthram | Padmini | |
| 1992 | Gangwar | Pavithra | |
| 1991 | Alludu Diddina Kapuram | Sita | |
| 1987 | Muddula Manavudu | Hemalatha | |
| 1990 | Paapa Kosam | Swapna | |
| 1993 | Rowdy Gaari Teacher | Malli | |
| 1987 | Manavadostunnaadu | Roopa | |
| 1987 | Ajeyudu | Rekha | |
| 1987 | Trimurtulu | Latha | |
| 1988 | Rudraveena | Lalita Shiva Jyoti | |
| 1988 | Abhinandana | Rani | |
| 1988 | Praja Pratinidhi | Bharathi | |
| 1990 | Nari Nari Naduma Murari | Shobha | |
| 1990 | Kokila | Kokila | |
| 1990 | Neti Siddhartha | Jyoti | |
| 1990 | Alludugaru | Kalyani | |
| 1991 | April 1st Vidudhala | Bhuvaneshwari | |
| 1991 | Appula Appa Rao | Subba Laxmi | |
| 1991 | Rowdy Gaari Pellam | Janaki | |
| 1991 | Minor Raja | Santhana Lakshmi | |
| 1991 | Manchi Roju | Padma | |
| 1991 | Rowdy Alludu | Sita | |
| 1991 | Hello Darling | Bharathi | |
| 1991 | Keechu Raallu | Monica | |
| 1992 | Ahankari | Shobana | |
| 1992 | Asadhyulu | Jyoti | |
| 1992 | Champion | Sandhya | |
| 1993 | Kannayya Kittayya | Saroja | |
| 1993 | Nippu Ravva | Guest appearance in a song | |
| 1993 | Rendilla Poojari | Radha | |
| 1993 | Rakshana | Padma | |
| 1997 | Surya Putrulu | Ragini | |
| 2006 | Game | Uma | |
Tamil
| Year | Title | Role | Sources |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1980 | Mangala Nayagi | - | |
| 1980 | Manmatha Ragangal | - | |
| 1984 | Enakkul Oruvan | Kalpana | |
| 1985 | Marudhani | Marudhani | |
| 1988 | Oray Thaai Oray Kulam | Easwari | |
| 1988 | Kadhal Geetham | Rani | |
| 1988 | Idhu Namma Aalu | Banu | |
| 1989 | Sattathin Thirappu Vizhaa | Radha | |
| 1989 | Paattukku Oru Thalaivan | Shanthi | |
| 1989 | Siva | Parvathy | |
| 1989 | Ponmana Selvan | Parvathy | |
| 1989 | Vaathiyaar Veettu Pillai | Geeta | |
| 1990 | Enkitta Mothathe | Mallika | |
| 1990 | Mallu Vetti Minor | Santhana Lakshmi | |
| 1990 | Sathya Vaakku | Meena | |
| 1991 | Mahamayi | Mahamayi | |
| 1991 | Thalapathi | Subhalakshmi | |
| 1993 | Sivarathiri | Gayathri | |
| 1996 | Thuraimugam | Rukkumani | |
| 2012 | Podaa Podi | Veena | |
| 2014 | Kochadaiiyaan | Yaaghavi |
Kannada
| Year | Title | Role | Sources |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1990 | Shivashankar | Girija | |
| 1985 | Giri Baale | Neelaveni |
Hindi
| Year | Title | Role | Sources |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2008 | Mere Baap Pehle Aap | Anuradha Joshi (Annu) | |
| 2007 | Apna Asmaan | Padmini Kumar |
English
| Year | Title | Role | Sources |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2003 | Dance Like a Man | Ratna | |
| 2002 | Mitr, My Friend | Lakshmi |
Awards and recognitions
Titles and honours
| Year | Honour | Honouring body | Ref(s) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2000 | Grade A Top | Doordarshan | [28] |
| 2006 | Padma Shri | Government of India | [29][30] |
| 2011 | Kalaimamani | Tamil Nadu Eyal Isai Nataka Manram, Government of Tamil Nadu | [31] |
| 2012 | Arch of Excellence | All India Achievers Conference | [32][33] |
| 2013 | Kalarathna | Kerala Sangeetha Nataka Academy | [34] |
| 2015 | Global Achievement for Performing Arts | All Malaysia Malayalee Association | [35] |
| 2019 | Honorary doctorate (D.Litt) | Dr. M.G.R. Educational and Research Institute | [12] |
Other Awards
| Year | Awards | Category | Film |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1989 | Filmfare Awards South | Filmfare Award for Best Actress - Malayalam | Innale |
| 1993 | National Film Awards | National Film Award for Best Actress | Manichitrathazhu |
| 1993 | Kerala State Film Awards | Kerala State Film Award for Best Actress | Manichitrathazhu |
| 1994 | Filmfare Awards South | Filmfare Award for Best Actress - Malayalam | Thenmavin Kombath |
| 2002 | National Film Awards | National Film Award for Best Actress | Mitr, My Friend |
| 2013 | Vanitha Film Awards | Vanitha Film for Best Actress | Thira |
Television shows as judge
| Year | Title | Channel | Language |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2010 | Jodi Number one season 4 | Vijay TV | Tamil |
| 2010 | Super Jodi | Surya TV | Malayalam |
| 2015 | D 3 (Grand finale) | Mazhavil Manorama | Malayalam |
| 2017 | Midukki | Mazhavil Manorama | Malayalam |
- Tv serial
- 1991 - Penn (Tamil) (DD Podhigai)
- 1999 - Uravugal (Tamil) (Vijay TV)
References
- "FB About". Retrieved 1 February 2020.
- Davis, Maggie (15 June 2017). "Malayalam actress Shobana to get hitched at the age of 47?". India.com. Retrieved 1 March 2019.
- "I am an introvert, says Shobana". The Hindu. 29 December 2005 – via www.thehindu.com.
- "In pics: Shobana dedicates her dance to 'Krishna'". IBNLive. Retrieved 31 March 2015.
- "New Straits Times – Google News Archive Search". google.com. Retrieved 31 March 2015.
- "The Hindu : Metro Plus Bangalore / Personality : Thinking actress". hindu.com. 6 April 2005. Retrieved 31 March 2015.
- Sneha May Francis, Gulf News Report. "Shobana's mystical twist to an epic". gulfnews.com. Retrieved 31 March 2015.
- "Shobana: I don't feel bad if I don't act in a film, as long as people are making great films - Times of India". The Times of India.
- "Shobana extends her support for #MeToo movement - Times of India". The Times of India.
- "Padma Awards". Ministry of Communications and Information Technology. Retrieved 23 July 2009.
- "Welcome to Sify.com". sify.com. Retrieved 31 March 2015.
- "Honorary doctorate conferred on CM". The Hindu. 21 October 2019. Retrieved 1 February 2020.
- "About". Archived from the original on 8 September 2011.
- "ജീവിതത്തിന് ഇപ്പോള് എന്തൊരു രുചി...!". mangalam.com. Archived from the original on 10 November 2014. Retrieved 31 March 2015.
- "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. Retrieved 2 February 2020.
- Mahesh, Chitra (1 May 2014). "Life on her own terms". The Hindu. ISSN 0971-751X. Retrieved 9 August 2020.
- Pattikonda, Gautham. "Actress Shobana is getting married to a family friend?". Pinkvilla. Retrieved 9 August 2020.
- "സിനിമ എന്ന തേന്മാവിൻ കൊമ്പത്ത്..." ManoramaOnline.
- "In her own groove". The Hindu. 3 November 2012. Retrieved 31 March 2015.
- "In pics: Shobana dedicates her dance to 'Krishna'". IBNLive. Retrieved 31 March 2015.
- S.R. Praveen (17 November 2013). "Sequel fails to impress". The Hindu. Retrieved 31 March 2015.
- "The Hindu : Shobhana changing track". hindu.com. 3 February 2003. Retrieved 31 March 2015.
- "Manorama Online – Movies – News". 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". lakshmansruthi.com.
- "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.
- "Arch of Excellence". Facebook - All India Achievers Conference. 4 August 2012. 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.
- "Achievement unlocked". Facebook - The Global Malayalee. 4 December 2015. Retrieved 1 February 2020.
