Shobana Chandrakumar 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 received 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 dancer Chitra Visweswaran Shobhana is famed for her Abhinaya, a pivotal element in Bharatanatyam. 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. She is often equaled to the curvaceous beauty of Indian sculptures. 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.
In January 2006, the Indian government honored Shobana with the Padma Shri award for her contributions to cinema and Bharatanatyam.
Shobana was born to Dr. Anandam and the late Mr Chandrakumar, who was the brother of the Travancore sisters. She is single and is involved in her dance school as well her creative pursuits full time. Her very close friends from the industry are Revathy, Suhasini & Rohini. Famous actor and renowned dancer Vineeth is related to her.She has a penchant for make up & hairdressing and often tries her hand at hairstyling Kushboo, her co-artist whenever they acted together.
Movie |
Year |
Producer |
Director |
April 18 |
1984 |
Augustine Prakash |
Balachandra Menon |
Ithirippoove Chuvannapoove |
1984 |
PV Gangadharan |
Bharathan |
Kaanamarayathu |
1984 |
Josekutty Cherupushpam |
IV Sasi |
Alakadalinnakkare |
1984 |
Thiruppathi Chettiyar |
Joshi |
Oru Naal Innorunaal |
1985 |
Sree Vigneswara Films |
TS Suresh Babu |
Akkacheede Kunjuvava |
1985 |
Josekutty Cherupushpam |
Sajan |
Thammil Thammil |
1985 |
Thomas Mathew |
Sajan |
Yaathra |
1985 |
Joseph Abraham |
Balu Mahendra |
Eeran Sandhya |
1985 |
Prem Prakash,Rajan Joseph |
Jeasy |
Ee Thanalil Ithiri Neram |
1985 |
KT Kunjumon,Hameed |
PG Vishwambharan |
Avidatheppole Ivideyum |
1985 |
Raju Mathew |
KS Sethumadhavan |
Anubandham |
1985 |
Raju Mathew |
IV Sasi |
Ee Shabdam Innathe Shabdam |
1985 |
KP Kottarakkara |
PG Vishwambharan |
Vasanthasena |
1985 |
K Basanth |
K Vijayan |
Upahaaram |
1985 |
Prem Prakash,Shaji Joseph,Rajan Joseph |
Sajan |
Rangam |
1985 |
VICI Films International |
IV Sasi |
Azhiyaatha Bandhangal |
1985 |
Royal Achankunju |
Sasi Kumar |
Ayanam |
1985 |
Sivan Kunnampilly |
Harikumar |
Thozhil Allengil Jail |
1985 |
Saranju Movies |
KG Rajasekharan |
TP Baalagopaalan MA |
1986 |
TK Balachandran |
Sathyan Anthikkad |
Aalorungi Arangorungi |
1986 |
Vijaya Film Circuit |
Thevalakkara Chellappan |
Raareeram |
1986 |
Appachan (VC George) |
Sibi Malayil |
Iniyum Kurukshetram |
1986 |
Joshi Mathew,Achari,Thomas Nidheri |
Sasi Kumar |
Kshamichu Ennoru Vaakku |
1986 |
JB Combines |
Joshi |
Padayani |
1986 |
Sukumaran |
TS Mohan |
Meenamaasathile Sooryan |
1986 |
CG Bhaskaran |
Lenin Rajendran |
Aayiram Kannukal |
1986 |
Prem Prakash,Rajan Joseph |
Joshi |
Ee Kaikalil |
1986 |
Prem Prakash,NJ Siriac,Thomas Kora |
K Madhu |
Chilambu |
1986 |
Bharathan,George |
Bharathan |
Udayam Padinjaaru |
1986 |
Madhu |
Madhu |
Kunjaattakkilikal |
1986 |
Prem Prakash,NJ Cyriac,Thomas Kora |
Sasi Kumar |
Nyaayavidhi |
1986 |
Joy Thomas |
Joshi |
Abhayam Thedi |
1986 |
Classic Arts |
IV Sasi |
Naalkkavala |
1987 |
Babu Thomas |
IV Sasi |
Anantharam |
1987 |
K Raveendranathan Nair |
Adoor Gopalakrishnan |
Vritham |
1987 |
Mathew George |
IV Sasi |
Kaalam Mari Kadha Maari |
1987 |
TE Vasudevan |
M Krishnan Nair |
Naadodikkaattu |
1987 |
Raju Mathew |
Sathyan Anthikkad |
Ithrayum Kaalam |
1987 |
NG John |
IV Sasi |
Aparan |
1988 |
Hari Pothan |
P Padmarajan |
Aalilakkuruvikal |
1988 |
Vinayan |
SL Puram Anand |
Oru Vivaada Vishayam |
1988 |
Dynaro Films |
PG Vishwambharan |
Vichaarana |
1988 |
Ranjini |
Sibi Malayil |
Aaryan |
1988 |
KT Kunjumon,Mohanlal |
Priyadarshan |
Mukthi |
1988 |
Raju Mathew |
IV Sasi |
Vellaanakalude Naadu |
1988 |
Maniyanpilla Raju |
Priyadarshan |
Dhwani |
1988 |
Mac Ali |
AT Abu |
Janmaantharam |
1988 |
Sharon Pictures |
Thampi Kannanthanam |
Naagapanchami |
1989 |
Anand Movie Arts |
Sasi Kumar |
Charithram |
1989 |
Sooryodaya Creations |
GS Vijayan |
Unni |
1989 |
|
G Aravindan |
Iyer The Great |
1990 |
Ratheesh |
Bhadran |
Kalikkalam |
1990 |
Mathew George |
Sathyan Anthikkad |
Innale |
1990 |
Ashraf,Rasheed |
P Padmarajan |
Sasneham |
1990 |
Ganesh Iyer |
Sathyan Anthikkad |
Kankettu |
1991 |
Appachan (VC George) |
Rajan Balakrishnan |
Ulladakkam |
1991 |
Suresh Balaji |
Kamal |
Vaasthuhaara |
1991 |
T Raveendranath |
G Aravindan |
Adayaalam |
1991 |
Janardhanan |
K Madhu |
Pappayude Swandam Appus |
1992 |
Khayas |
Fazil |
Oru Kochu Bhoomikulukkam |
1992 |
Mani Malliyath,Raju Malliath |
Chandrasekharan |
Dalapathi |
1992 D |
G Venkateswaran |
Manirathnam |
Manichithrathaazhu |
1993 |
Appachan (PD Abraham) |
Fazil |
Maayamayooram |
1993 |
R Mohan |
Sibi Malayil |
Golaantharavaartha |
1993 |
B Sasikumar |
Sathyan Anthikkad |
Melepparambil Aanveedu |
1993 |
Mani C Kappan |
Rajasenan |
Paamaram |
1993 U |
Aravind Movie Makers |
IV Sasi |
Vishnu |
1994 |
B Sasikumar |
P Sreekumar |
Thenmaavin Kombathu |
1994 |
N Gopalakrishnan |
Priyadarshan |
Pakshe |
1994 |
Mohan Kumar |
M Mohan |
Maanathe Vellitheru |
1994 |
Khayas |
Fazil |
Pavithram |
1994 |
Thankachan |
TK Rajeev Kumar |
Commissioner |
1994 |
M Mani |
Shaji Kailas |
Minnaaram |
1994 |
R Mohan |
Priyadarshan |
Sindoorarekha |
1995 |
GK Movie Land |
Sibi Malayil |
Minnaaminunginum Minnukettu |
1995 |
Mukesh R Mehta |
Thulasidas |
Mazhayethummunpe |
1995 |
VP Madhavan Nair |
Kamal |
Hitler |
1996 |
Lal |
Siddique |
Aramanaveedum Anjoorekkarum |
1996 |
Sibi Vachapparambil,Gopikrishnan |
Anil Kumar,Babu Narayanan |
Kunkumacheppu |
1996 |
Mukesh R Mehta |
Thulasidas |
Rajaputhran |
1996 |
Dinesh Panicker |
Shajoon Karyal |
Kalyaanakkacheri |
1997 |
Babu Pathanamthitta |
Anil Chandra |
Kaliyoonjal |
1997 |
Siyad Kokker |
Anil Kumar,Babu Narayanan |
Super Man |
1997 |
Abdul Azeez,Siddique,Lal |
Rafi,Mecartin |
Sradha |
2000 |
Anand Kumar |
IV Sasi |
Valyettan |
2000 |
Ambalakkara Films |
Shaji Kailas |
Maambazhakkaalam |
2004 |
M Mani |
Joshi |
Makalkku |
2005 |
Alex Varghese |
Jayaraj |
Sagar Alias Jacky Reloaded |
2009 |
Antony Perumbavoor |
Amal Neerad |
Thira |
2013 |
Manoj Menon |
Vineeth Sreenivasan |
Varane Aavashyamundu |
2020 |
Dulquer Salmaan |
Anoop Sathyan |