Developer.mubin: Done

2026-04-11T00:32:30Z

Done

New page

{{Short description|Indian dancer and actress}}
{{Resume-like|date=June 2021}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=July 2018}}
{{Infobox person
| image = METHIL DEVIKA.jpg
| name = Methil Devika
| caption = Devika in 2019
| birth_date = {{Birth year and age|1976}}
| birth_place = [[Dubai]], United Arab Emirates
| death_date =
| death_place =
| citizenship = Indian
| alma_mater = {{Unbulleted_list|[[Rabindra Bharati University|Rabindra Bharati University, Kolkata]]<br>{{small|([[Master of Arts]])}}|[[University of Madras]]<br>{{small|([[Master of Business Administration]])}}|[[Bharathidasan University|Bharathidasan University, Tiruchirappalli]]<br>{{small|([[Doctor of Philosophy]])}}}}
| occupation = {{hlist|Performing artist|Researcher}}
| spouse = {{Unbulleted_list|{{Marriage|Rajeev Nair|2002|2004|reason=divorced}}|
{{Marriage|[[Mukesh (actor)|Mukesh]]|2013|2021|reason=divorced}}<ref name=":0">{{cite web |url=http://www.mathrubhumi.com/mb4eves/online/malayalam/kerala/women/articles/infocus_interview-article-410052 |title=ഇത് ഞങ്ങള്‍ കാത്തിരുന്ന വിവാഹം - articles,infocus_interview |publisher=Mathrubhumi.com |access-date=2014-03-19 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140318180508/http://www.mathrubhumi.com/mb4eves/online/malayalam/kerala/women/articles/infocus_interview-article-410052 |archive-date=18 March 2014 |url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/regional/malayalam/news-and-interviews/My-marriage-with-Mukesh-is-an-arranged-one-Methil-Devika/articleshow/25502876.cms | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131114092006/http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2013-11-09/news-and-interviews/43853904_1_love-marriage-mukesh-sandhya | url-status=live | archive-date=14 November 2013 |title=My marriage with Mukesh is an arranged one: Methil Devika |date=9 November 2013 | access-date=25 January 2014 |newspaper=[[The Times of India]] |author=Radhika C. Pillai}}</ref>
<ref>https://www.newindianexpress.com/states/kerala/2021/Jul/28/no-domestic-violence-charge-against-mukesh-in-divorce-notice-says-devika-2336414.html</ref>}}
| parents = {{Unbulleted_list|N. Rajagopalan|Methil Rajeswari}}
| relatives = Radhika Pillai (sister)<br>Methil Renuka (sister)
| known for = [[Indian classical dance]], [[Mohiniyattam]]
}}

'''Methil Devika''' is an Indian classical dancer, research supervisor and actress.<ref name=":3">{{Cite web|title=methil devika|url=https://eshe.in/tag/methil-devika/|access-date=2021-05-24|website=eShe|language=en}}</ref> She was a Senior Research Associate at [[Indian Space Research Organisation|ISRO]]'s [[Indian Institute of Space Science and Technology]], in 2023 working on an arts-integrated-advance-science project ideated by her.<ref name="auto">{{Cite web |title=Women have come a long way, but a little more improvement won't do harm: Kerala Minister Mridula Ramesh |url=https://www.indiatoday.in/india/video/women-have-come-a-long-way-but-a-little-more-improvement-wont-do-harm-kerala-minister-mridula-ramesh-2387884-2023-06-02 |access-date=2023-07-21 |website=India Today |date=2 June 2023 |language=en}}</ref>

She is currently doing Kerala Chief minister's Nava Kerala Post Doctoral Fellowship, conducting research on ''Temple Terrain as a New Performance Space for the Woman Dancer: A Study on How the Modern Woman Reinvents her Art in Esoteric Spaces''.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.kshec.kerala.gov.in/images/pdf/List_merged.pdf|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230529014051/http://www.kshec.kerala.gov.in/images/pdf/List_merged.pdf|archive-date=2023-05-29|title=GOVERNMENT OF KERALA}}</ref>
She has made her feature film debut with the Malayalam film [[Kadha Innuvare]] directed by Vishnu Mohan, a national film award-winning director.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Anand |first=Shilpa Nair |date=2024-09-20 |title=Dancer Methil Devika makes her feature film debut with the Malayalam film 'Kadha Innuvare' |url=https://www.thehindu.com/life-and-style/dancer-methil-devika-makes-her-feature-film-debut-with-the-malayalam-film-kadha-innuvare/article68655177.ece#:~:text=Kadha%20Innuvare%20may%20be%20Devika's,2018%20short%20film%20documentary,%20Sarpatatwam |access-date=2024-11-08 |work=The Hindu |language=en-IN |issn=0971-751X}}</ref>

== Early life ==
Devika was born in [[Dubai|Dubai, UAE]], to N. Rajagopalan and Methil Rajeswari. She has two elder sisters, Radhika Pillai (educator and art critic) and Methil Renuka,<ref name=":3" /> who is an editor at [[Forbes]]. Renowned writer [[Maythil Radhakrishnan|Methil Radhakrishnan]] is her uncle. Writer V. K. N.'s wife, Vedavathi, is her aunt.<ref name=":3" />

Devika was educated at [[The Indian High School, Dubai]]; St. Thomas Convent School, Palakkad; and [[Mercy College, Palakkad]], before obtaining a degree in Commerce from [[Government Victoria College, Palakkad]].

Devika did her M.A. in Performing Arts at [[Rabindra Bharati University|Rabindra Bharati University, Kolkata]], with a first rank.<ref>{{cite web |title=Interview - I have a lot more to give: Methil Devika - Lalitha Venkat |url=https://narthaki.com/info/intervw/intrv131.html |website=narthaki.com}}</ref> She then earned an MBA from the [[University of Madras]] with first rank.<ref>{{cite web |title=Dr. Methil Devika |url=https://athmaonline.in/drmethildevika/ |website=athma online |date=5 January 2017}}</ref> She has also completed a Ph.D. in [[Mohiniyattam]] from the [[Bharathidasan University|Bharathidasan University, Tiruchirappalli]].<ref name=":5">{{Cite news|date=16 February 2017|title=Dancing to the tunes of life|language=en|work=Deccan Chronicle|url=https://www.deccanchronicle.com/lifestyle/books-and-art/160217/dancing-to-the-tunes-of-life.html|access-date=12 July 2018}}</ref>

== Performances ==

[[File:Methil Devika Mohiniyattam.jpg|thumb|Methil Devika performing Mohiniyattam.]]
Devika has given solo performances in dance festivals in [[India]], including Khajuraho International Festival.<ref>{{Cite web|date=2016-03-07|title=So much divine energy in Khajuraho: Methil Devika|url=https://indianewengland.com/2016/03/much-divine-energy-khajuraho-methil-devika/|access-date=2021-05-24|website=INDIA New England News|language=en|archive-date=28 July 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210728212359/https://indianewengland.com/2016/03/much-divine-energy-khajuraho-methil-devika/|url-status=dead}}</ref>

She has performed at the [[Madras Music Academy]],<ref>{{Cite web|last=Kochi|first=RITZ|date=2019-01-22|title=Redefining Dance : A Chat With Dr.Methil Devika! {{!}} RITZ|url=https://www.ritzmagazine.in/redefining-dance-a-chat-with-dr-methil-devika/|access-date=2021-05-24|language=en-US}}</ref> Mudra Festival<ref>{{Cite news|last=Nisha|date=2010-09-17|title=Exquisite recitals|language=en-IN|work=The Hindu|url=https://www.thehindu.com/features/friday-review/dance/Exquisite-recitals/article15971330.ece|access-date=2021-05-24|issn=0971-751X}}</ref> and Nishagandhi Dance Festival.<ref>{{Cite news|last=Nampoothiri|first=Hareesh N.|date=2015-02-05|title=Potpourri of dance|language=en-IN|work=The Hindu|url=https://www.thehindu.com/features/friday-review/nishagandhi-festival-review/article6856139.ece|access-date=2021-05-24|issn=0971-751X}}</ref> She has performed in [[Boston]],<ref>{{Cite web|title=Mohiniyattam recital by Methil Devika in Boston!! at Chinmaya Mission Auditorium, Andover, MA {{!}} Indian Event|url=https://events.sulekha.com/mohiniyattam-recital-by-methil-devika-in-boston_event-in_andover-ma_294065|access-date=2021-05-24|website=events.sulekha.com|language=en}}</ref> [[New York City]], [[Texas]], [[Philadelphia]], [[Laos]],<ref>{{Cite web|title=First Indian Classical Dance Show Debuts in Vientiane Capital – Lao Tribune|date=26 January 2017 |url=https://laotribune.com/first-indian-classical-dance-show-debuts-in-vientiane-capital/|access-date=2021-05-24|language=en-US}}</ref> [[Chiang Mai]],<ref>{{Cite web|title=Indian Dance and Fashion Show at Central festival|url=http://www.chiangmaicitylife.com/social-pics/indian-dance-and-fashion-show-at-central-festival/|access-date=2021-05-24|website=Chiang Mai Citylife|language=en-US}}</ref> [[Sydney]], and [[Melbourne]].<ref>{{Cite web|last=admin|title=Methil Devika Dance workshop in Melbourne|url=https://www.india2australia.com/methil-devika-dance-workshop-in-melbourne/|access-date=2021-05-24|website=Indian Events {{!}} Movies {{!}} Australian|language=en-US}}</ref>

== Documentary ==
In 2018, Devika created the short film documentary ''Sarpatatwam or The Serpent Wisdom''. She set the lyrics to music, choreographed and performed the dance, also serving as co-director and co-producer.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.thehindu.com/entertainment/methil-devika-delves-into-the-myth-of-the-serpent-in-rajesh-kadambas-documentary-sarpatatwam/article24994940.ece|title=In tune with the dance of the serpent|last=Nagarajan|first=Saraswathy|date=20 September 2018|work=The Hindu|access-date=14 October 2018|language=en-IN|issn=0971-751X}}</ref> The film was voted into the contention list of the [[Academy Awards]] in 2018.<ref name="auto1">{{Cite web|last=Slayton|first=Jeff|title=Sarpathathwa -The Serpent Wisdom: A Beautiful Short Film by Indian Classical Dancer Methil Devika|url=https://www.ladancechronicle.com/sarpathathwa-the-serpent-wisdom-a-beautiful-short-film-by-indian-classical-dancer-methil-devika/|access-date=2021-05-24|website=L.A. Dance Chronicle|date=26 September 2018 |language=en-US}}</ref> It premiered at the Prestige Theatres, LA and was also screened at various international theatres. It was also the opening film at the [[National Film Archive of India|National Film Archive of India, Pune]].

Her work ''Ahalya'' which was commissioned by Sampradaya Dance Company also opened to world premiere in May 2021. It was based on reflections in solitude done during [[COVID-19 lockdown]] and the music and dance being composed by herself.<ref>{{Cite news|last=Kumar|first=P. k Ajith|date=2021-05-06|title=When life imitates art during pandemic|language=en-IN|work=The Hindu|url=https://www.thehindu.com/entertainment/dance/when-life-imitates-art-during-pandemic/article34496090.ece|access-date=2021-05-24|issn=0971-751X}}</ref>
Her dance based short film ‘The Crossover’, that amalgamates Indian Sign Language with hastha mudras of Indian classical dance was screened at the Mumbai International Film Festival, 2024.<ref>https://www.pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=2027096</ref> A research article authored by her based on the above performance creation has also been published by Taylor and Francis.<ref>{{Cite journal |last=Devika |first=Methil |last2=Justin |first2=Babitha |date=2024-03-14 |title=The Crossover: Integrating Indian Sign Language with the Mudras in an Indian Classical Dance Performance Creation |url=https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/08949468.2024.2319017 |journal=Visual Anthropology |language=en |volume=37 |issue=2 |pages=146–165 |doi=10.1080/08949468.2024.2319017 |issn=0894-9468|url-access=subscription }}</ref>

==Filmography==
{| class="wikitable"
|-
! Year !! Title !! Role !! Notes !! Ref
|-
| 2024 || ''[[Kadha Innuvare]]'' || M. S Lekshmi || [[Filmfare Award for Best Female Debut – South]]|| <ref>{{Cite web |title=Vishnu Mohan announces his next ‘Kadha Innuvare’ starring Biju Menon and Methil Devika|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/malayalam/movies/news/vishnu-mohan-announces-his-next-kadha-innuvare-starring-biju-menon-and-methil-devika/articleshow/103906588.cms |access-date=8 February 2026 |website=[[The Times of India]] |language=en}}</ref>
|-
| 2025 || ''[[Sarvam Maya]]'' || Annie || || <ref>{{Cite web |title='Sarvam Maya' box office collections day 9: Nivin Pauly film shows big jump; Rs 40 crore mark reached|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/malayalam/movies/news/sarvam-maya-box-office-collections-day-9-nivin-pauly-film-shows-big-jump-rs-40-crore-mark-reached/articleshow/126315493.cms |access-date=8 February 2026|website=[[The Times of India]] |language=en}}</ref>
|}

== Awards ==
Devika's archival film was voted into the [[Academy Awards]] Contention List 2018.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Review - Sarpatatwam - Padma Jayaraj|url=https://narthaki.com/info/rev20/rev2500.html|access-date=2021-05-24|website=narthaki.com}}</ref><ref name="auto1"/> She won two national awards (Ustad Bismillah Yuva Puraskar for Mohiniyattam 2007<ref>{{Cite news|title=Methil Devika interacts with students in the city - Times of India|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/vadodara/methil-devika-interacts-with-students-in-the-city/articleshow/19635783.cms|access-date=2021-05-24|website=The Times of India|date=19 April 2013 }}</ref> and the Devadasi Award from the Minister of Orissa in 2010<ref>{{Cite web|title=Keeping a tradition alive|url=https://www.newindianexpress.com/states/odisha/2010/oct/01/keeping-a-tradition-alive-191386.html|access-date=2021-05-24|website=The New Indian Express|date=16 May 2012 }}</ref>). She received the state honours Kshetrakala Akademy Award 2020<ref>{{Cite web|title=Thiraseela.com|url=https://thiraseela.com/achievement|access-date=2021-05-24|website=thiraseela.com}}</ref> and the [[Kerala Sangeetha Nataka Akademi Award]] 2011.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.keralaculture.org/dance-a-ksna/466|title=Kerala Sangeetha Nataka Akademi Award: Dance|publisher=Department of Cultural Affairs, Government of Kerala|access-date=26 February 2023}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|title=Methil Devika|url=https://english.mathrubhumi.com/mbifl2019/speakers/methil-devika-mbifl-2019-1.3480230|access-date=2021-05-24|website=Mathrubhumi|date=14 January 2019 |language=en}}</ref>

She received the Best Dancer Award of the Mid‐Year Fest from Madras Music Akademy in 2016.<ref>{{Cite news|last=Srikanth|first=Rupa|date=2016-07-08|title=Dance of grace|language=en-IN|work=The Hindu|url=https://www.thehindu.com/features/friday-review/Dance-of-grace/article14477818.ece|access-date=2021-05-24|issn=0971-751X}}</ref> She is empanelled into SPIC‐MACAY (Society for the Promotion of Indian Classical Music and Culture Amongst Youth) in 2010.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Samskriti: Collaborations With SPIC MACAY {{!}} Amrita Vishwa Vidyapeetham|url=https://www.amrita.edu/association/samskriti/spicmacay|access-date=2021-05-24|website=www.amrita.edu}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|date=2013-04-10|title=Forgotten moves|url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/brunch/forgotten-moves/story-YNkBi7SiizJlIsK8LdgqDL.html|access-date=2021-05-24|website=Hindustan Times|language=en}}</ref> She is empanelled artiste for Mohiniyattam at the [[Indian Council for Cultural Relations]].<ref name=":1">{{Cite web|title=Dr. Methil Devika {{!}} Indian Council for Cultural Relations|url=https://www.iccr.gov.in/cultural/list-of-empanelment-artist/dr-methil-devika|access-date=2021-05-24|website=www.iccr.gov.in}}</ref> Her recent award was the Dakshinamurthy Puraskar which she received in 2022
along with Pandit [[Hariprasad Chaurasia]] and [[Sivamani (percussionist)|Sivamani]].<ref>{{Cite news |date=2022-12-13 |title=Singer Nanchamma, 3 others to receive awards |work=The Times of India |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/kochi/singer-nanchamma-3-others-to-receive-awards/articleshow/96187270.cms |access-date=2023-07-21 |issn=0971-8257}}</ref>
Devika is also the recipient of 'the Avanavan Kadamba award, 2023' by Kavalam Samskriti for her contribution to dance and theatre. She has received the award from Adoor Gopalakrishnan, the legendary film maker from Kerala.<ref>{{Cite web |last= |first= |date=2024-09-13 |title=അവനവന്‍ കടമ്പ പുരസ്‌കാരം മേതില്‍ ദേവികയ്ക്ക് |url=https://janmabhumi.in/2024/09/13/3266170/news/kerala/avavan-kadamba-award-to-methil-devika/ |access-date=2024-11-08 |website=Janmabhumi |language=en-US}}</ref>

==References==
{{reflist}}

==External links==
*[https://www.thehindu.com/features/friday-review/whither-mohiniyattam/article6334879.ece Article on Mohiniyattam by Methil Devika]
*{{Commons category-inline|Methil Devika}}

{{authority control}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Devika, Methil}}
[[Category:Indian female classical dancers]]
[[Category:Mohiniyattam dancers]]
[[Category:University of Madras alumni]]
[[Category:Rabindra Bharati University alumni]]
[[Category:1977 births]]
[[Category:Living people]]
[[Category:People from Dubai]]
[[Category:Indian expatriates in the United Arab Emirates]]
[[Category:Government Victoria College, Palakkad alumni]]
[[Category:Artists from Palakkad]]
[[Category:Dancers from Kerala]]
[[Category:Women artists from Kerala]]
[[Category:20th-century Indian dancers]]
[[Category:20th-century Indian women artists]]
[[Category:Koodiyattam dancers]]
[[Category:Recipients of the Kerala Sangeetha Nataka Akademi Award]]
[[Category:Filmfare Awards South winners]]

Methil Devika - Revision history

Developer.mubin: Done