Methil Devika
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
- Performing artist
- Researcher
Methil Devika | |
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 Devika in 2019 | |
| Born | 1976 (age 49–50) Dubai, United Arab Emirates |
| Citizenship | Indian |
| Alma mater | |
| Occupations |
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| Known for | Indian classical dance, Mohiniyattam |
| Spouses | |
| Parents |
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| Relatives | Radhika Pillai (sister) Methil Renuka (sister) |
Methil Devika is an Indian classical dancer, research supervisor and actress.[4] She was a Senior Research Associate at ISRO's Indian Institute of Space Science and Technology, in 2023 working on an arts-integrated-advance-science project ideated by her.[5]
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.[6] She has made her feature film debut with the Malayalam film Kadha Innuvare directed by Vishnu Mohan, a national film award-winning director.[7]
Devika was born in Dubai, UAE, to N. Rajagopalan and Methil Rajeswari. She has two elder sisters, Radhika Pillai (educator and art critic) and Methil Renuka,[4] who is an editor at Forbes. Renowned writer Methil Radhakrishnan is her uncle. Writer V. K. N.'s wife, Vedavathi, is her aunt.[4]
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, Kolkata, with a first rank.[8] She then earned an MBA from the University of Madras with first rank.[9] She has also completed a Ph.D. in Mohiniyattam from the Bharathidasan University, Tiruchirappalli.[10]
Performances
Devika has given solo performances in dance festivals in India, including Khajuraho International Festival.[11]
She has performed at the Madras Music Academy,[12] Mudra Festival[13] and Nishagandhi Dance Festival.[14] She has performed in Boston,[15] New York City, Texas, Philadelphia, Laos,[16] Chiang Mai,[17] Sydney, and Melbourne.[18]
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.[19] The film was voted into the contention list of the Academy Awards in 2018.[20] 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, 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.[21] 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.[22] A research article authored by her based on the above performance creation has also been published by Taylor and Francis.[23]
Filmography
| Year | Title | Role | Notes | Ref |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | Kadha Innuvare | M. S Lekshmi | Filmfare Award for Best Female Debut – South | [24] |
| 2025 | Sarvam Maya | Annie | [25] |
