Asha Sarath

Personal life

Asha Sharath was born as the daughter of Krishnan Kutty, a retired employee of Travancore Rayons and Kalamandalam Sumathi, managing director of Natyalaya School of Classical Dance. A renowned dancer, Kalamandalam Sumathi has won several awards and accolades including Sangeetha Nataka Academy Fellowship, Award from Kerala Kalamandalam and National Award from Akshaya. It was her mother who initiated Asha to the world of Indian classical dance. Asha started learning dance at the tender age of three. Her father and two brothers Balagopal and Venugopal were her biggest inspiration to become a dancer. She is graduated from Sree Sankara College Kalady

Asha came to Dubai in 1995, following her marriage with T V Sharath.They have two daughters Uthara and Keerthana. They are settled in Dubai.

Career

Dance is a heritage bequeathed to Asha by none other than her legendary mother, Smt. Kalamandalam Sumathy. She is now an outstanding dancer among the Contemporary young Indian Classical Dancers with many accolades to her credit. Asha’s first gurus in Bharatanatyam and Mohiniyattom were her mother and uncle Ravikumar. She learned Kuchipudi from Guru Vinayachandran Master and Anitha Janaki Teacher. Asha has also learned Kathakali and her gurus are the late Darpana Govindan Namboothiri, Kalanilayam Madhu and RLV Radhakrishnan.

Asha came to Dubai in 1995, following her marriage with T V Sharath. The same year she joined Radio Asia FM, where she worked as an RJ and programme producer for around eight years. Asha launched her dream venture, Kairali Kalakendram, in the year 2003. Kairali Kalakendram Group, comprising centres in Ghusais, Discovery Gardens, Karama and Sharjah, is affiliated to Natyalaya, a renowned dance institute based in Kerala. This institute, established 52 years ago by Kalamandalam Sumathy, the mother and guru of Asha Sharath, is recognized by the Government of India. In addition to the branches in India, the institute also has its branches in Brazil, UK and the USA.

Asha has won many awards for her exceptional achievements as a dancer. They include Swathi Thirunal Award, Akshaya Desiya Award, Kaladarpana Award and Mayilpeeli Award by Guruvayur Devaswom. In 1992, she was selected as the Best Dancer of the Year at All India University Level. Besides, she has received Gold Medal for Artistic Excellence from Maharaja of Banaras, Kalaratna Swathi Thirunal Award 2006, Kalathilakam title and Akshaya Desiya Puraskaram.

Asha Sharath bagged best second actress award for the telefilm Nizhalum Nilavum Parayunnathu. Following that, she was offered the role of Prof Jayanthi in the mega serial Kunkumappoovu. That role in the popular mega serial gave a break to her acting career.

Her first feature film was Friday. The other movies she has acted till now are Karmayodha, Buddy, Ardha Nari, Zachariyayude Garbhinikal, Drishyam and its Tamil version Papanasam, Kannada version Drishya, Angels, Varsham, Kamal Hassan-stared Thoongavanam, Pavada, Anuragakarikkin vellam, King Liar,Munthirivallikal thalirkkumbol,1971 Beyond Borders,Vishwasapoorvam Mansoor, Sunday Holiday, Pullikkaran Staara,Bhgmathi.

Asha has received Asianet Film Awards for Best Supporting Actress for Pavada /Anuraga Karikkin Vellam,Won North American Film Award for Best Supporting Actress,Vanitha Film Awards for excellence in performance and Asiavision award for Best supporting actress for Pavada/AnuragaKarikkin vellam, Filmfare Award for Best Supporting Actress, Malayalam for Anuraga Karikkin Vellam,SIIMA Award for Best Actress – Malayalam,Anuraga Karikkin Vellam,SIIMA Award for Best Actress – Malayalam (Critics Choice) Anuraga Karikkin Vellam in 2017. Asha won Filmfare Award for the Best Supporting Actress for her role in Drishyam. She has also won awards of Jaihind TV, Amrutha TV and Asianet for her performance in the movie. Varsham has won for her Critics Award and Ramu Karyat Award for the Best Actress. In 2013, she won Best Supporting Actress Awards from both Jaihind TV and Asianet. She has received Amrita TV’s Award for the Best Supporting Actress too. In 2014, she won the Asianet Film Award and Jaihind TV’s award for the Best Character Artist. Asha has also been selected for the Asianet Television Award for three years consecutively and won the Golden Star of the Year Award. Besides, she has won Kerala State’s Best Tele Actress Award, Asia Vision’s Best Actress Award, Lohitadas Award for Best Actress, Adoor Bhasi Foundation’s Best Actress Award, and Kerala Film Audience Council’s Best Actress Award.