Shobana

Full Name: Shobana Chandrakumar Pillai
Date of Birth: March 21, 1970
Place of Birth: Trivandrum, Kerala, India
Occupation: Actress, Dancer, Choreographer
Years Active: 1980–present
Children: 1

Family Background:
Family: Belongs to the renowned Travancore family
Niece of: Lalitha, Padmini, and Ragini, the famous Travancore sisters known for their contributions to Indian classical dance and cinema

Education and Training:
Received Bharatanatyam training under Chitra Visweswaran and Padma Subrahmanyam
Established her own dance school, Kalarpana, in Chennai

Career Highlights:
Acted in over 230 films across multiple languages, including Malayalam, Tamil, Telugu, Kannada, Hindi, and English
Won two National Film Awards for Best Actress for her roles in Manichitrathazhu (1993) and Mitr, My Friend (2001)
Notable Films: Manichitrathazhu, Mitr, My Friend, Rudraveena, Thalapathi, Kochadaiiyaan, and Varane Avashyamund

Awards and Recognitions:
Padma Shri by the Government of India in 2006
Kalaimamani by the Tamil Nadu State Government in 2011
Kala Ratna Award by the Kerala State Government in 2014
Honorary Doctorate from Dr. M.G.R. Educational and Research Institute in 2019
Doctor of Letters degree from Sree Sankaracharya University of Sanskrit in 2022

Personal Life:
Adopted a girl child named Anantha Narayani Chandrakumar in 2011, embracing single parenthood
Known for her resilience, compassion, and dedication to her craft

Legacy:
Shobana's contributions to Indian cinema and classical dance continue to inspire artists worldwide
Her versatile performances and artistic finesse have earned her a special place in the hearts of audiences across the globe