32+
Years of Experience
1
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About
Shobana Chandrakumar Pillai, known mononymously as Shobana, is a highly acclaimed Indian classical dancer, choreographer, and actress, born on March 21, 1970, in Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala, India. She hails from a family deeply rooted in classical dance, being the niece of the legendary Travancore sisters—Lalita, Padmini, and Ragini—all celebrated classical…
Journey Timeline
1970
Born Shobana Chandrakumar Pillai
1984
Made her stage debut (arangetram)
1994
Founded Kalarpana — A school for classical Bharatanatyam dance in Chennai
2006
Awarded Padma Shri — By the Government of India for contributions to arts
2011
Awarded Kalaimamani — By the Government of Tamil Nadu
2013
Awarded Kerala Sangeetha Nataka Akademi Fellowship (Kalarathna) — By the Kerala State Government
2018
Received Honorary Doctorate — From Vinayaka Mission's Research Foundation
2019
Received Honorary Doctorate — From Dr. M.G.R. Educational and Research Institute
2022
Received Doctor of Letters — From Sree Sankaracharya University of Sanskrit
2025
Conferred Padma Bhushan — By the Government of India
Photo Gallery
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Video Library
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Signature Performances
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Performance Map
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Awards & Honors
- 2006 · Padma Shri — Government of India
- 2011 · Kalaimamani — Government of Tamil Nadu
- 2013 · Kerala Sangeetha Nataka Akademi Fellowship (Kalarathna) — Kerala State Government
- 2018 · Honorary Doctorate — Vinayaka Mission's Research Foundation
- 2019 · Honorary Doctorate — Dr. M.G.R. Educational and Research Institute
- 2022 · Doctor of Letters — Sree Sankaracharya University of Sanskrit
- 2025 · Padma Bhushan — Government of India
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