Malavika was born in a Tamil family to N. Ganesan from Thanjavur. Her father was a banker and writer, and her mother, Savithri, a vocalist and dancer. She was initiated into classical arts under the tutelage of PadmashreeLeela Samson in Bharatanatyam and Pandit Partho Das on the sitar. G. V. Iyer spotted her at a dance performance as Krishna and cast her as Krishna in his Krishnavataar. She then played a lead role as a princess in Prema Karanth's Panorama children's film Nakkala Rajakumari.
She married actor Avinash in 2001.[3] They have a son named Gaalav.[4]
Career
Her introduction to the limelight began early with acclaimed performances, most notably in the Kannada film Krishnaavataar in 1988. She garnered acclaim for her roles in Malayalam and Kannada cinema, working under directors like Lenin Rajendran. Her television career flourished with memorable roles in series directed by stalwarts like Girish Karnad and Ashutosh Gowariker in Hindi, Ashok Naidu in Kannada, and Dinesh Baboo in Malayalam. Notably, her portrayal in the Kannada series Mayamruga solidified her place as a household name.
Transitioning to Tamil cinema, Malavika Avinash made a significant impact with roles in films like K. Balachander's Anni, where she played the lead. Her versatility and dedication further shone through in various serials and films across languages.[5]
Avinash (left), Malavika Avinash (right) in 1998 Kannada serial Mayamruga
Another milestone was her portrayal of Nanjamma, the protagonist in Girish Kasaravalli's Kannada film of S. L. Bhyrappa's celebrated novel, Gruhabhanga.[6] Malavika's Tamil films and serials include Raja Rajeshwari and K. Balachander's Nilavai Pidippom where she portrayed a middle-class working woman, and in Comedy Colony again under her mentor Balachander. She played Madurai Thilaka in Arasi and Muththazhagi in Chellamey. She played key roles in Tamil films.[7]
Agni, a talk show that Malavika hosted on E-TV Kannada was followed by Baduku Jataka Bandi. In the latter, Malavika deals with the problems of individuals, thereby providing an Alternate Dispute Resolution forum for resolving family issues. She also discusses social issues.[8] She was one of the contestant in Bigg Boss Kannada Season 4.[9]
Malavika Avinash has built a strong reputation across Indian cinema and television. She has excelled in powerful supporting roles, often portraying characters such as lawyers, politicians, and strong-willed maternal figures.[10]
Journalism
Malavika participated in and won many international moot courts as a student, served as editor of her college journal, joined Madhyam, a development communications organization, served as assistant-editors of Madhyam journal, a legal column for the Times of India and UDAYAVANI for two years, her "Malavika Pakkam" column in Kumudam, a Tamil weekly, an Agony aunt column for Kumudam and more recently, 'Malavika order', a weekly column in Vijaya Karnataka. Malavika served as head of programming at Zee Kannada.
Dance
Malavika's association with Bharatanatyam commenced at age five when her mother introduced it to her. She trained under M. R. Krishnamurthy of Kalakshetra, followed by advanced tutelage under Padmashri Leela Samson in Delhi. She was a recipient of the CCERT (a unit of the Culture Ministry) scholarship for Bharatanatyam.[citation needed] She pursued dance along with her dancer sister, an alumnus of Kalakshetra, Ranjani Ganesan Ramesh. As a duo they performed at cultural centres in India and abroad, including Hampi festival, Pattadakkal festival, Khujrajo festival, Chidambaram Natyanjali and Uttara Chidambaram. Together, they organise an annual dance festival called Arudhra at Bangalore.
Malavika served as a judge on TV dance shows and hosted Takadhimithaa, a game show dedicated to Bharatanatyam on JayaTV.
Malavika Avinash entered politics campaigning for BJP leader Sushma Swaraj in Bellary. She is a member of the BJP's Mahila Morcha.[11] She joined Bharatiya Janata Party in September 2013[12] and was appointed one of its co-spokespersons in February 2014.[13]
Controversy
Sanitary pad controversy
Goods and Service Tax applied on sanitary napkins when items like bangles and sindhoor were exempted from the new tax system by the ruling Bhartiya Janata Party has come under criticism from women and men.[14] In July 2017, Malavika defended the BJP and said that sanitary pads are not required as Multi-national corporations have been dumping sanitary pads in India since it was rejected by developed countries, Cloth is hygienic in contrast to sanitary pads.[15] The defense of Malavika on the decision of her party to enforce GST on sanitary pads provoked a lot of backlash from people.[16]
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