Latest news with #ShobanaChandrakumar
Khaleej Times
16-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Khaleej Times
Indian actor and dancer Shobhana on dancing with the universe
We are at the Sarvakalasala Art Studio at Silicon Oasis in a class conducted by one of India's biggest classical dancers and actors, Shobana Chandrakumar, whose academy is called Kalarpana Research Institution. Chandrakumar has acted in stellar films across India, including the recent super hit Mohan Lal starrer Thudarum, was conferred India's third-biggest honour, the Padma Bhushan, this year. The eminent artiste who is currently shooting for the epic film Ramayana playing Kaikesi, comes to Dubai regularly to conduct these classes herself. Unfazed by the fuss and adulation, Shobana confesses, 'I'm still in a state of shock and when people ask me when am I celebrating, I tell them, let me recover.' Her gurus, though, are extremely proud. 'They were ecstatic and I sincerely believe that I shine this way because they've been so giving to me.' In class, as a teacher, she describes Bharatanatyam as molten chocolate falling on a steel rod. ' There is a general impression that Bharatanatyam is tough to perform. That it is staccato and looks forced. But, the angular dance form it is, has plenty of room for flow. Rods are angular but it depends on what you pour into it — electricity or molten chocolate." Shobana succinctly explains how the dance form has risen like the phoenix over generations and timelines. 'Bharatanatyam originated from male dancers who taught the Devadasis (temple dancers) who preserved the dance form and taught the teachers of today. Both my gurus learnt from Devadasis,' she adds. But learning a dance form is more than just the dance, it is a great lesson in aesthetics and wisdom. 'The legendary Chitra Akka (Chitra Visveswaran) and Padu ka (Padma Subrahmanyam) have bestowed upon me their life experiences and wisdom and I feel compelled to pass it on,' adding, 'Only now have I have mustered courage to ask my gurus about their gurus and they have been most generous in sharing that knowledge.' Ask her what separates a good artiste from a great artiste? 'If you don't have humility, then you are unintelligent. Humility should be so ingrained within you that you shouldn't even know that you are humble.' But then, how does humility protect her from the deviousness of the world? ' Of course I have an ego and that arises especially when people take your naïveté for granted. That is when your ego sorts them out - it draws a strict boundary,' she adds. So, does she see her qualities reflect in her students. 'Yes I do. They don't preen with praise. That is my quality,' she laughs. How does she infuse disciple, spirit and devotion in her students? ' I don't inculcate discipline and devotion. Students either have it or don't depending on their upbringing. Yes, inculcating the spirit of performance is a teacher's job. Explaining the nuances of music is my job — telling them to bubble up, smile and pour out their emotion in their dance, telling them how would they like to be seen onstage.' So, does learning a dance form, make you sensitive to other forms of art? 'Not necessarily because art is largely interpretative. I don't get impressed by speed, acrobatics or drama. For me it is very academic. I can't enjoy a performance unless it is very different. The same extends to all art forms. Artists have that magic of going beyond grammar. Only then you be a complete artist.' Ask her what were her most trying times as a student? ' When I had to rehearse my classical dance steps while at a film shoot. Those days, we were given accommodation in small lodges. So I would wake up by 4 am, go to the terrace and practice. I remember actor Satyaraj complaining since my dancing woke the entire unit up.' Shobana's recent film Thudarum where she was paired opposite Malayalam superstar Mohanlal has been a super hit and is a fond recall of Malayalam cinemas two biggest names coming together. 'Lal is fascinated by the world of art and here is how our conversation goes when we start talking of Natyashastra. Me: Natyashastra is tough because there are certain things that we don't do anymore. Lal: Why do you say so? Me: In Satvika abhinaya, there are instances when the face goes white, loses colour and you get goose bumps. It's a state of the dance. Lal: Close your eyes. Lal: Now open them! Lal shakes his hands and displays his goose bumps and says 'That's it right!' Me: There's Something about Mary. There's something about Lal. (Laughs) Shobana is currently pursuing her doctorate on Natyashastra from Tamil University. 'It is not an honorary doctorate, I'm working on it for the past 10 years,' she adds. A seeker forever.
The Hindu
28-05-2025
- Politics
- The Hindu
The Hindu Morning Digest: May 28, 2025
U.S. looking to slow down processing of all student visas Days after trying to ban international students at the U.S.'s Harvard University, the Trump administration appears to be slowing down all international student visa processing and tightening requirements for international students on campus. According to a report by U.S.-based Politico, that was later reported by Bloomberg news agency, a cable sent by U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio late on Tuesday (May 27, 2025) ordered that no 'visa appointment capacity' should be added at embassies worldwide until arrangements for 'social media screening and vetting' are put into place. Protesters lock Central government offices in Manipur The civil disobedience campaign in Manipur's Imphal Valley intensified on Tuesday (May 27, 2025) with protesters fanning out to lock Central government offices. The action was concentrated in the State's capital, Imphal, which straddles two of the five districts comprising the Valley. INDIA bloc to seek special session on Pahalgam attack The Opposition parties under the banner of INDIA bloc are gearing up to pen a joint appeal to the government demanding a special session of Parliament to discuss the Pahalgam terror attack and the subsequent developments. Several Opposition leaders have individually made this demand, including the Congress, the Trinamool Congress and the Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD). Former CJI Khehar, dancer Shobana Chandrakumar, actor Anant Nag among those conferred with Padma awards Former Chief Justice of India Jagdish Singh Khehar, dancer Shobana Chandrakumar, actor Anant Nag, footballer I.M. Vijayan, music composer Ricky Kej and Vice Chancellor of prestigious King George's Medical University Soniya Nityanand were among 68 eminent personalities who were honoured with the prestigious Padma awards by President Droupadi Murmu on Tuesday (May 27, 2025). IMD retains 'above normal' rainfall outlook for monsoon The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has retained its April forecast for 'above normal' rainfall from June-September. It expects the country to see about 92 cm rainfall (106% of the long period average) during this southwest monsoon season, slightly higher than the 91.3 cm (105% of the average) rainfall that it had forecast in April. Supreme Court Collegium recommends transfer of 21 High Court judges The Supreme Court Collegium, headed by Chief Justice of India B.R. Gavai, has recommended the transfer and repatriation of 21 High Court judges across the country. The proposed transfers span across the High Courts of Telangana, Karnataka, Madras, Kerala, Andhra Pradesh, Bombay, Delhi, Rajasthan, Calcutta, Allahabad, Punjab and Haryana, Gauhati, Orissa, Madhya Pradesh and Patna. CRPF official, held for spying, says he was trapped into it A Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) official who was arrested for alleged espionage activities by the National Investigation Agency (NIA) earlier this week had information and photographs on his phone that he allegedly shared with his Pakistani handlers, a senior government official said on Tuesday (May 27, 2025). Trump says Putin 'playing with fire' as sanctions pressure grows U.S. President Donald Trump warned Vladimir Putin on Tuesday (May 27, 2025) that he was 'playing with fire,' taking a fresh jab at his Russian counterpart as Washington weighs new sanctions against Moscow over the Ukraine war. Mr. Trump's latest broadside showed his frustration with stalled ceasefire talks and comes two days after he called the Kremlin leader 'absolutely CRAZY' following a major drone attack on Ukraine. All-party delegation led by MP Kanimozhi arrives in Greece An all-party delegation led by DMK MP Kanimozhi Karunanidhi arrived in Greece as part of India's diplomatic outreach to underscore its commitment to counter-terrorism. The delegation reached Athens from Slovenia, where it called on senior officials and emphasised India's 'new normal' of zero tolerance against cross-border terrorism. IPL 2025 LSG vs RCB: Jitesh's blinder eclipses Pant's ton as Royal Challengers seal spot in Qualifier 1 Captain Jitesh Sharma's unbeaten 85 (33b, 8x4, 6x6) hit Lucknow Super Giants like a thunderbolt as it succumbed to a six-wicket loss to Royal Challengers Bengaluru in the last league fixture of IPL 2025 at the Ekana Stadium in Lucknow on Tuesday (May 27, 2025). Om Birla nominates Sambit Patra, two other Lok Sabha members to Press Council Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla has nominated three members of the House, including BJP leader Sambit Patra, to the Press Council of India. Besides Mr. Patra, Shiv Sena member Naresh Mhaske and Congress member Kali Charan Munda have been nominated to the Press Council, a quasi-judicial body for the print media. Varanasi court rejects plea against Rahul over his remarks on Lord Ram in U.S. A court in Varanasi on Tuesday (May 27, 2025) rejected a criminal complaint filed against the Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha, Rahul Gandhi, over his alleged remark on Lord Ram during an interactive session held as part of his visit to the U.S. BSF foils Bangladeshi nationals' bid to enter India The Border Security Force (BSF) personnel manning an outpost in western Assam's South Salmara-Mankachar district foiled an attempt by a large group of Bangladeshi nationals to cross over to India on Tuesday (May 27, 2025) morning. The incident happened when the BSF personnel reportedly tried to deport 14 Bangladeshi people found staying in India illegally.
The Hindu
27-05-2025
- Entertainment
- The Hindu
Former CJI Khehar, dancer Shobana Chandrakumar, actor Anant Nag among those conferred with Padma awards
Former Chief Justice of India Jagdish Singh Khehar, dancer Shobana Chandrakumar, actor Anant Nag, footballer I M. Vijayan, music composer Ricky Kej and Vice Chancellor of prestigious King George's Medical University Soniya Nityanand were among 68 eminent personalities who were honoured with the prestigious Padma awards by President Droupadi Murmu on Tuesday (May 27, 2025). Also read | Full list of Padma Awards 2025 Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar, Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Union Home Minister Amit Shah were among those who attended the second civil investiture ceremony in Rashtrapati Bhavan. On April 28, during the first investiture ceremony, 71 personalities were conferred with Padma awards. A total of 139 distinguished persons were named for the country's civilian awards. Justice (retd) Khehar was awarded Padma Vibhushan, India's second highest civilian award. Late legendary folk singer Sharda Sinha and late Kathak dancer Kumudini Rajnikant Lakhia were conferred Padma Vibhushan posthumously. Lakhia's grandson and Sinha's son received the awards. Nine Padma Bhushan, the third highest civilian award, were given to noted personalities which included dancer and actor Shobana Chandrakumar, businessman Nalli Kuppuswami Chetti, archaeologist Kailash Nath Dikshit, Satteiah dance exponent Jatin Goswami, actor Anant Nag, and Sadhvi Ritambhara. The posthumous award for economist Bibek Debroy and former Maharashtra CM and Lok Sabha Speaker Manohar Joshi were received by the economist's wife and former CM's son. Leading immunologist and KGMU VC Nityanand, footballer I.M. Vijayan, singer Ashwini Bhide Deshpande, actor Ashok Laxman Saraf, mask maker Reba Kanta Mahanta, musician Ricky Gyan Kej, theatre personality Barry John, dance choreographer Mamata Shankar Ghosh were among the recipients for Padma Shri. Noted parai player Velu Aasan, businessman Sajjan Bhajanka, Dr. Neerja Bhatla, scientist Ajay V. Bhatt, writer Sant Ram Deswal, spiritual leader Acharya Jonas Mejetti, and Farooq Ahmad Mir were among the other Padma Shri awardees.
NDTV
27-05-2025
- Entertainment
- NDTV
Ex-Chief Justice Among 68 Personalities Conferred With Padma Awards
New Delhi: Former Chief Justice of India Jagdish Singh Khehar, dancer Shobana Chandrakumar, actor Anant Nag and Vice Chancellor of prestigious King George's Medical University Soniya Nityanand were among 68 eminent personalities conferred with the coveted Padma awards by President Droupadi Murmu on Tuesday. A total of 139 distinguished persons were named for the country's civilian awards -- Padma Vibhushan, Padma Bhushan and Padma Shri -- on the eve of the 76th Republic Day on January 25. The President gave awards to 68 chosen ones on Tuesday in the second civil investiture ceremony in Rashtrapati Bhavan in the presence of Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar, Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Union Home Minister Amit Shah, among others. During the first investiture ceremony on April 28, President Murmu had conferred Padma awards to 71 personalities. In the ceremony in Ganatantra Mandap in Rashtrapati Bhavan on Tuesday, President Murmu conferred the country's second highest civilian honour Padma Vibhushan to Justice (retd) Khehar for public affairs while the award for late Kathak dancer Kumudini Rajnikant Lakhia and late legendary folk singer Sharda Sinha were received by Lakhia's grandson and Sinha's son. The President also handed over nine Padma Bhushan, the third highest civilian award, during the ceremony to noted personalities which included dancer and actor Shobana Chandrakumar, businessman Nalli Kuppuswami Chetti, archaeologist Kailash Nath Dikshit, dancer Jatin Goswami, actor Anant Nag, and Sadhvi Ritambhara. The award for economist Bibek Debroy and former Maharashtra CM and Lok Sabha Speaker Manohar Joshi was received by Debroy's wife and Joshi's son. Leading immunologist and KGMU VC Nityanand, footballer Inivalappil Mani Vijayan, singer Ashwini Bhide Deshpande, actor Ashok Laxman Saraf, mask maker Reba Kanta Mahanta, and musician Ricky Gyan Kej were among the recipients for Padma Shri. Noted theatre artist and acting coach Barry John, folk musician and noted parai player Velu Aasan, businessman Sajjan Bhajanka, Dr Neerja Bhatla, scientist Ajay V Bhatt, writer Sant Ram Deswal, spiritual leader Acharya Jonas Mejetti, and Farooq Ahmad Mir were among the other Padma Shri awardees. The awards are given in various disciplines and fields such as art, social work, public affairs, science and engineering, trade and industry, medicine, literature and education, sports and civil service, among others. Padma Vibhushan is awarded for exceptional and distinguished service; Padma Bhushan for distinguished service of high order, and Padma Shri for distinguished service in any field. Ever since the Narendra Modi government came to power in 2014, it has started honouring the "unsung heroes" by honouring them with the Padma awards, thus transforming Padma awards into "People's Padma". This year, the Padma awards were given to 30 "unsung heroes". Instituted in 1954, these awards are announced on the eve of the Republic Day every year. All persons without distinction of race, occupation, position or sex are eligible for these awards. Concerted efforts are being made to identify talented persons whose excellence and achievements really deserve to be recognised from amongst women, weaker sections of the society, SCs & STs, divyang persons and who are doing selfless service to the society.
Time of India
27-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Time of India
Ex-CJI Khehar, dancer Shobana Chandrakumar among 68 personalities conferred with Padma awards
Live Events (You can now subscribe to our (You can now subscribe to our Economic Times WhatsApp channel New Delhi, Former Chief Justice of India Jagdish Singh Khehar, dancer Shobana Chandrakumar , actor Anant Nag and Vice Chancellor of prestigious King George's Medical University Soniya Nityanand were among 68 eminent personalities conferred with the coveted Padma awards by President Droupadi Murmu on Tuesday. A total of 139 distinguished persons were named for the country's civilian awards -- Padma Vibhushan , Padma Bhushan and Padma Shri -- on the eve of the 76th Republic Day on January President gave awards to 68 chosen ones on Tuesday in the second civil investiture ceremony in Rashtrapati Bhavan in the presence of Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar, Prime Minister Narendra Modi , Union Home Minister Amit Shah , among the first investiture ceremony on April 28, President Murmu had conferred Padma awards to 71 the ceremony in Ganatantra Mandap in Rashtrapati Bhavan on Tuesday, President Murmu conferred the country's second highest civilian honour Padma Vibhushan to Justice (retd) Khehar for public affairs while the award for late Kathak dancer Kumudini Rajnikant Lakhia and late legendary folk singer Sharda Sinha were received by Lakhia's grandson and Sinha's President also handed over nine Padma Bhushan, the third highest civilian award, during the ceremony to noted personalities which included dancer and actor Shobana Chandrakumar, businessman Nalli Kuppuswami Chetti, archaeologist Kailash Nath Dikshit, dancer Jatin Goswami, actor Anant Nag, and Sadhvi award for economist Bibek Debroy and former Maharashtra CM and Lok Sabha Speaker Manohar Joshi was received by Debroy's wife and Joshi's immunologist and KGMU VC Nityanand, footballer Inivalappil Mani Vijayan, singer Ashwini Bhide Deshpande, actor Ashok Laxman Saraf, mask maker Reba Kanta Mahanta, and musician Ricky Gyan Kej were among the recipients for Padma theatre artist and acting coach Barry John, folk musician and noted parai player Velu Aasan, businessman Sajjan Bhajanka, Dr Neerja Bhatla, scientist Ajay V Bhatt, writer Sant Ram Deswal, spiritual leader Acharya Jonas Mejetti, and Farooq Ahmad Mir were among the other Padma Shri awards are given in various disciplines and fields such as art, social work, public affairs, science and engineering, trade and industry, medicine, literature and education, sports and civil service, among Vibhushan is awarded for exceptional and distinguished service; Padma Bhushan for distinguished service of high order, and Padma Shri for distinguished service in any since the Narendra Modi government came to power in 2014, it has started honouring the "unsung heroes" by honouring them with the Padma awards, thus transforming Padma awards into "People's Padma". This year, the Padma awards were given to 30 "unsung heroes".Instituted in 1954, these awards are announced on the eve of the Republic Day every persons without distinction of race, occupation, position or sex are eligible for these efforts are being made to identify talented persons whose excellence and achievements really deserve to be recognised from amongst women, weaker sections of the society, SCs & STs, divyang persons and who are doing selfless service to the society.
