Shobhana The Classic Actress
Shobana Chandrakumar (Malayalam: ശോഭന), commonly known as Shobana, is an exponent of the Bharatanatyam dance and was a leading actress of Indian motion pictures. She was born into a Malayalam speaking family from Kerala, India. Shobana is the niece of the Travancore sisters Lalitha, Padmini and Ragini, all of whom were renowned for their skill in classical Indian dance. the veteran actress Ms Sukumari is an aunt from the paternal side .
Shobana acted for the first time in a leading role in the Malayalam motion picture April 18 in 1984, directed by Balachandra Menon. She also acted alongside the Malayalam actor Mammootty in the film Kanamarayathu (1984). Shobana won her first National Film Award for Best Actress from the government of India in 1994 for her performance in Fazil’s Manichitrathazhu. She bagged a second National award for best actress in the year 2001 for her role in an English language film Mitr, My Friend, directed by Revathi. Shobhana is an accomplished dancer of Bharatanatyam. She did her dance training at the Chidambaram academy in Chennai, Tamil Nadu. Her guru is the legendary Bharatanatyam dancerChitra Visweswaran Shobhana is famed for her Abhinaya, a pivotal element in Bharatanatyam.[1] She performed in Kuala Lumpur before the King and Queen of Malaysia.[2] Shobhana’s skilled execution of dance movements and her extraordinary beauty has led many people to consider her as the most beautiful South Indian actress from the 1980s through the 1990s.</ref> She is often equaled to the curvaceous beauty of Indian sculptures.[3] Shobhana has founded a school for classical Bharatanatyam dance in Chennai- kalarpana. She was also a part of Mani Ratnam’s stage show, Netru, Indru, Naalai. In 1994, Shobana founded Kalarpana. The aim of Kalarpana is to organize annual festivals throughout India. Shobana is well recognized by her performance in the movie Rudra Veena (Telugu movie, 1988) with Chiranjeevi as a great dancer and Social reformer. This will include performances of nationally and globally known artistes to help raise funds that will be ploughed back into training talented artistes who are financially insecure. Under its umbrella, Kalarpana extend its support to the handicapped and the environmental movement. [4]
In 2006 January, the Indian government honored Shobana with Padma Shri title for her significant contributions to cinema and Bharatanatyam.
- Sagar Alias Jacky Reloaded (2009)
- Mere Baap Pehle Aap(2008)
- Apna Asmaan (2007) …. Padmini Kumar
- Game (2006/II)
- Makalkku (2005) …. Killeri-Hit
- Maampazhakkaalam (2004) …. Indira-Flop
- Dance Like a Man (2003) (as Shobhana) …. Ratna Parekh
- Mitr, My Friend (2002) …. Lakshmi
- Sradha (2000)-Hit
- Valliettan (2000) (as Shobhana) …. Devi-Super Hit
- Agni Sakshi (1999)-Hit
- Kaliyoonjal (1997)-Hit
- Kalyana Kacheri (1997)-Hit
- Superman (1997) …. Nithya-Super Hit
- Hitler (1996) …. Gauri-Mega Hit
- Aramana Veedum Anjoorekkarum (1996)-Hit
- Kumkumacheppu (1996)
- Suryaputrulu (1996)
- Mazhayethum Munpe (1995) …. Uma Maheswari-Super Hit
- Minnaminuginum Minnukettu (1995)-Hit
- Sindoora Rekha (1995) …. Arundhathi-Flop
- Vishnu (1994) …. Susanna Mathews-Flop
- Commissioner (1994) …. Indu-Mega Hit
- Manathe Vellitheru (1994) …. Merlin Fernandes – Hit
- Minnaram (1994) …. Neena-Hit
- Pakshe (1994) …. Balachandran’s Childhood Sweetheart-Hit
- Pavithram (1994) (as Shobhana) …. Meera-Hit
- Thenmavin Kombath (1994) (as Shobhana) …. Karthumbi-Mega Hit
- Manichitrathazhu (1993) …. Ganga – National Award-Mega Hit
- Maya Mayuram (1993)-AVG
- Meleparambil Aanveedu (1993) …. Pavizham-Mega Hit
- Pappayude Swantham Appoos (1992) …. Appu’s Mother-Mega Hit
- Ahankari (1992)
- Hello Darling (1992)
- Oru Kochu Bhoomikulukkam (1992)-Hit
- Thalapathi (1991) …. Subbulaxmi-Mega Hit
- Rowdy Alludu (1991)
- Rowdy Gari Pellam (1991) …. Anjali
- Appula Appa Rao (1991) …. Subba Laxmi
- April 1st Vidudhala (1991) …. Bhuvaneswari
- Kankettu (1991) …. Sujatha-Hit
- Keechu Raallu (1991)
- Ulladakkam (1991) …. Annie-Super Hit
- Kalikkalam (1990) …. Annie-Hit
- Alludugaru (1990) (as Shobhana) …. Kalyani
- Sasneham (1990) …. Sarasvati-Hit
- Charithram (1989)-Hit
- Innale (1989) …. Maya – Gouri-Super Hit
- Kokila (1989) …. Kokila
- Nari Nari Naduma Murari (1989) Super Hit
- Siva (1989)… aka Shiva (India: Tamil title: alternative transliteration)
- Mukthi (1988) …. Rashika-Hit
- Rudra Veena (1988) …. Lalita Siva Jyoti — Award winng film
- Vicharana (1988) …. Anitha-Super Hit
- Abhinandana (1988) (as Shobhana)
- Aparan (1988)-Super Hit
- Dhwani (1988) …. Devi-Super Hit
- Idu Namma Alu (1988) (as Shobhana) …. Banu
- Janmandharam (1988) …. Sridevi
- Vellanakalude Naadu (1988) …. Radha-Super Hit
- Anantaram (1987) (as Shobhana) …. Suma, Nalini
- Muvva Gopaludu (1987)
- Ithrayum Kalam (1987) …. Savithri
- Nadodikkattu (1987) …. Radhika-Mega Hit
- Vrutham (1987) …. Nancy-Super Hit
- Rareeram (1986) …. Meera
- Ee Kaikalil (1986) …. Viji Balakrishnan
- Nyayavidhi (1986) …. Geetha
- Chaitnaya (1986)
- Kshamichu Ennoru Vakku (1986) …. Indu n
- Abhayam Thedi (1986)
- Ente Entethu Mathram (1986) …. Ambili
- Iniyum Kurukshethram (1986) …. Lekha
- Kunjattakilikal (1986) …. Usha
- T.P. Balagopalan M.A. (1986) …. Anitha-Super Hit
- Upaharam (1985) …. Magi Fernandes
- Yathra (1985) …. Thulasi-Hit
- Ayanam (1985) …. Alice
- Ee Sabdam Innathe Sabdam (1985) …. Sharada-Super Hit
- Anu Bandham (1985) …. Vijayalakshmi
- Thammil Thammil (1985)-Super Hit
- Eeran Sandhya (1985) …. Prabha
- Azhiyatha Bandhangal (1985) …. Geetha
- Meenamasathile Sooryan (1985) …. Revathi
- Vasantha Sena (1985) …. Merlin
- Enakkul Oruvan (1984)
- Ithiri Poove Chuvannapoove (1984) …. Subhadra
- Kanamarayathu (1984)-Super Hit
- April 18 (1984) (as Shobhana) …. Policeman’s Wife-Super Hit
- Mangala Nayaki (1980) (as Baby Sobhana)
