Dr. Sivaji Ganesan(Tamil Actor)

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Portrait of Sivaji Ganesan, Filmfare, August 24, 1962
Born Viluppuram Chinnaiahpillai Ganesan
October 1, 1928(1928-10-01)
Viluppuram, India
Died July 21, 2001 (aged 72)
Chennai, India
Other name(s) Nadigar Thilagam
Years active 1952-1999
Spouse(s) Kamala Ganesan





Early Life

Sivaji Ganesan was born on 01.10.1928 to Chinayya Mandrayar and Rajamani Ammal, in a Tamil middle class Kallar family. That day was a Monday, and on that day his father Chinnaiya mandrayar was arrested for taking part as a freedom fighter in an anti-British campaign in Villupuram [2][3].












Donning versatile roles

Sivaji Ganesan (right) with Director Sridhar, Rajkumar, Gemini Ganesan, N.T.Rama Rao, M.G.Ramachandran.
In his career spanning 6 decades, Sivaji Ganesan has donned innumerable characters. Right from the first film Parasakthi, he has covered almost all characters of the society as well as puranic, historic and the like. In puranic epic stories, his performance as Bharatha in Sampoorna Ramayanam was outstanding and the accolade came from none other than Chakkaravarthi Rajagopalachariar. In Karnan, based on Mahabharatha, his performance as Karna, stands evergreen even today. In historic roles too, his performances as Raja Raja Sozhan, Samrat Asokan, have won him laurels throughout the world. And his performance as Appar in Thiruvarut Selvar, received appreciation from the Saint Maha Periyaval, Jagat Guru Chandrasekarendra Saraswathi. His performance as Lord shiva in the movie Thiruvilayaadal is a classic and is the first to be bought one intends to collect movies for personal use. In the film Navarathiri (1964), Ganesan donned nine different roles that represented the nine emotional states of a person. His role in the film Veerapaandiya Kattabomman won him the Best Actor Award at the Afro-Asian Film Festival held in March 1960 at Cairo. Sivaji Ganesan was the first Indian actor to get an award for Best Actor abroad. His roles included V.O.C., Vanchinathan, Thiruppur Kumaran, Bhagat Singh (freedom fighters), Karnan, Bharathan (epic characters), Naradhar, Appar, Aazhvar (puranic characters), lepor, doctor, judge, advocate, rickshaw puller, etc. in real life characters. This is only a sample and this page would be insufficient to describe the versatile and variety of roles he has played. More information available in the website

Box Office Success

Nadigar Thilagam, as fondly remembred by his fans the world over, struck on success note from his very first film Parasakthi, which was a Silver Jubilee Hit (25 weeks run). He was the darling of the producers throughout his career and was a Director's actor. His films Veerapandiya Kattabomman, Bhaga Pirivinai, School Master (Kannada), Paava Mannippu, Paasa Malar, Thiruvilaiyadal, Dharti (Hindi), Pattikkada Pattanama, Vasantha Maligai, Thanga Padhakkam, Uthaman, Thiyagam, Thirisulam, Theerppu, Needhipadhi, Sandhippu, Mudhal Mariyadhai, Padikkadhavan, Dhevar Magan, Padaiyappa, were all Silver Jubilee Hit Films[[2]]. Nearly 100 of his films saw more than 100 days ru

His co-stars

Sivaji Ganesan co-starred with his counterpart, M. G. Ramachandran in the film, Koondukkili. He has worked with many of the leading actresses of his time, including Savithri, Padmini, B. Sarojadevi, K. R. Vijaya and J. Jayalalitha. He also co-starred with other lead actors such as Gemini Ganesan, Muthuraman, M. R. Radha, and many more. For details of co-stars refer filmography section [[4]].

[edit] Untitiring performance

Nadigar Thilagam wished that he should die while acting. Even upto the year 1999 he did not stop acting. In fact in the film En Asai Rasave, he performed Thappattam, a form of folk music and dance, at the age of around 70. Such was his dedication. He was also liked by the future generation actors, who acted with him in the films like Veerapaandiyan, Jalli Kattu, Pudhiya Vaanam, Thevar Magan, Pasumpon and En Aasai Raasaave. His last film before his death was Padayappa in 1999 which was also a blockbuster. His last film released was Poopparikka Varugirom.

[edit] Directors

He has also worked with more than 80 directors in his career. Directors Bhim Singh, A.P.Nagarajan, A.C. Thirulokchander, D. Yoganand, Krishnan-Panchu, C.V. Rajendran, K.Vijayan, among others, have done about 10 to 20 films range with him, which itself is unique in the history of cinema [[5]].[citation needed]

[edit] His last breath

After a brief respiratory problems, Sivaji Ganesan, breathed his last on Juy 21, 2001 at around 7.45 pm (IST) the Apollo Hospital in Chennai. A documentary, Parasakthi Muthal Padayappa Varai was made to commemorate Sivaji Ganesan's legacy. His funeral was attended by millions of people including politicians and personalities from the South Indian film fraternity.

[edit] Legacy

Nadigar Thilagam with M. G. Ramachandran at the Annai Illam.

Statue

Fans and well wishers in fond remembrance of Nadigar Thilagam, have been engaged in erecting statues for Sivaji Ganesan all over the world. The first ever statue was unveiled by Hon'ble Shri Rangaswamy, then Chief Minister of the Union Territory of Pondicherry on 11th February 2006. Amidst hurdles and obstacles, Hon'ble Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu, Dr. Kalaignar M. Karunanidhi, stood stubborn and unveiled the Statue of Nadigar Thilagam on Kamarajar Salai, Marina, Chennai, on 21st July 2006. Another statue of Sivaji Ganesan was unveiled by Thiru S.S.Rajendran, actor, on 15th August 2008 at Thanjavur. Shri Vn. Chithambaram, a close friend of Nadigar Thilagam and Thakkar of Madurai Meenakshi Temple, erected a statue at Madurai, which was unveiled by Hon'ble Shri Mu.Ka. Azhagiri, Union Minister. Another statue was unveiled at Arakkonam by the fans of Nadigar Thilagam. Work is in progress in various parts of Tamil Nadu, including Nagercoil, Mayiladuthurai, for erection of statues of Nadigar Thilagam which are likely to be unveiled in 2010.

Actors' Day

The South Indian Film Artistes' Association as a tribute to the legend, declared that October 1, the birth day of Ganesan, would be observed as Actors' Day by the Association Chennai film industry.

Domestic popularity

Sivaji Ganesan has remained as the most popular Tamil actor with the most of number of fans. This fact has been confirmed by many independent surveys conducted.
The popular Tamil magazine Kumudam conducted a survey in 1990. Sivaji Ganesan was voted as the most popular actor with (35%) votes followed by M. G. Ramachandran (30%), Rajinikanth (20%) and Kamal Haasan (15%). Though the survey was conducted in 1990, when Sivaji Ganesan had almost retired from acting and Rajinikanth and Kamal Haasan were rising stars in Tamil cinema.

Prabhu Ganesan

Prabhu Ganesan son of the thespian Sivaji Ganesan, is also a legendary artist in Tamil cinema. He made his debut in the film Sangili in the year 1982 and is in his 29th year in his career in cinema. More details can be had at the website for Prabhu Ganesan

Popularity in the US

During a visit to the U.S. in June 1995, Sivaji Ganesan found himself in Columbus, Ohio. Mayor Greg Lashutka named him honorary citizen of Columbus at a special dinner.
In 1962, Ganesan toured the U.S., where he was given the honour of being the mayor of Niagara City for one day. He along with the former Indian Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru were the only two Indians to be honoured this way.
When actor Marlon Brando visited India, he was shown film footage of Sivaji Ganesan. From then on Brando admired Sivaji Ganesan for his acting style. He also stated that "Sivaji Ganesan may act like me but I cannot act like Sivaji Ganesan."[citation needed]

Awards and honours

Légion d'honneur

Sivaji Ganesan's most prestigious award was the 'Chevalier' in 1995, awarded by the National Order of the Legion of Honour in France. This is one of the main decorations of the French Republic which is conferred to honour the most original and talented personalities, for their remarkable contributions in the field of Arts and Literature in France and all over the world. On April 22, 1995, at a ceremony held at the MAC Stadium, Chennai, Sivaji Ganesan was presented the Chevalier title and medallion by the French Ambassador to India, Philip Petit. J. Jayalalitha, the entire Tamil film industry and representatives of all other Indian regional film industries were present at the ceremony.

Other awards

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