Renowned classical dancer and national award-winning actress Ms. Shobana Chandrakumar, popularly known as Shobana, has been awarded the Padma Bhushan, India’s third-highest civilian award, for her exceptional contribution to the field of Art.
With an illustrious career spanning over four decades, Shobana is acclaimed for her dual mastery in Bharatanatyam and Indian cinema. She has acted in over 230 films across Malayalam, Tamil, Telugu, Kannada, and Hindi, earning critical acclaim and multiple awards, including two National Film Awards for Best Actress for her roles in Manichitrathazhu (1993) and Mitr, My Friend (2001).
Beyond the screen, Shobana is a celebrated Bharatanatyam exponent, trained under dance legends such as Chitra Visweswaran and Padma Subrahmanyam. In 1994, she founded Kalarpana, a Chennai-based dance academy that continues to nurture and promote the classical arts.
Expressing gratitude, Shobana said:
“I am deeply honoured to receive this award. It is a tribute to every artist who keeps our cultural heritage alive. I thank the Government of India, my gurus, and all those who supported my artistic journey.”
Shobana was previously awarded the Padma Shri in 2006 and has been conferred honorary doctorates and fellowships by leading universities for her contributions to arts and education.
Artists, political leaders, and fans across the country have congratulated her on this honour, calling it a fitting recognition of her lifelong dedication to preserving and enriching Indian culture.
Shobana’s Padma Bhushan celebrates not just her accomplishments as a performer, but her legacy as a mentor, cultural ambassador, and torchbearer of India’s artistic heritage.
