Viluppuram Chinnaiahpillai Ganesan Manrayar,^[1] commonly known by his stage name Sivaji Ganesan (1 October 1927 – 21 July 2001),^[1][2][3] was an Indian stage and film actor active during the latter half of the 20th century^[4] and was one of the most respected film actors in India.^[5] He was well known for his versatility and acting skills with numerous roles depicted on screen.^[6] He progressed from a stage actor since his childhood to the filmdom with such an authority that the Tamil cinema considered as the golden era. In a career spanning close to five decades he has acted in nearly 300 films in Tamil, Telugu, Kannada, Malayalam and Hindi.^[7]

Ganesan was the first Indian film actor to win a "Best Actor" award in an International film festival, the Afro-Asian Film Festival held in Cairo, Egypt in 1960. Many leading South Indian film actors have stated that their acting was influenced by Ganesan.^[8][9][10] He was also the first Indian actor to be made a Chevalier of the Ordre des Arts et des Lettres.^[11]

Ganesan is remembered as the iconic figure of Tamil cinema.^[12][13] He is referred to as "The Marlon Brando of Indian Cinema".^[14][15] From Parasakthi onwards, he has won the President's Award for more than 12 times.^[16] During end of his career, Ganesan was conferred the highest and the most prestigious Dadasaheb Phalke Award for his contribution to Indian cinema in 1997.^[17][18] In spite of his celebrated film career, his short stint in politics became a futile attempt.^[19]

Early life[link]

Ganesan was born on October 1, 1928^[1][2][3] to Chinnaiya Manrayar and Rajamani in a Tamil middle-class Kallar family in Villupuram. His ancestors were from a village called Surakottai in the Thanjavur District.^[20] His father was arrested on the day Ganesan was born for taking part in an anti-British campaign in Viluppuram.^[1][21]

Ganesan's inspiration for acting was inborn; when he got a chance to act on stage for a touring drama company he took it without his father's consent at the age of seven.^[7] At the age of 10, he moved to Tiruchirappalli and joined a drama troupe in Sangiliyandapuram and began to perform in stage plays.^[22] From the drama troupe trainers he was very lucky enough to learn acting and dancing skills. He was trained in Bharatanatyam, Kathak and Manipuri.

Ganesan was an intellectual boy who could remember lengthy lines easily and could present them to the audience brilliantly with perfection. This made him hero of the troupe in the long run. His outstanding portrayal of the character of Chhatrapati Shivaji in the stage play Shivaji Kanda Hindu Rajyam earned him the title "Sivaji"^[7] which was conferred on him at a public function presided over by E. V. Ramasamy, a social reformer. Since then, he was referred by the name "Sivaji".^[23]

Film career[link]

Early career: 1952–1959[link]

Ganesan and C. N. Annadurai in the play Sivaji Kanda Hindu Rajyam in Chennai in 1945

Two factors can be attributed the entry of Ganesan into films: The principal artists in Tamil films during the 1940s and 1950s were Telugus, whose acting was not matched by their dialogue delivery in Tamil. (In fact, Sivaji Ganesan lent his voice to Mukkamala Krishna Murthy, a Telugu actor, for a Tamil film, Niraparathi. The film was well-received by the Tamil audience.) Secondly, the 1950s saw the growth of the Dravidian movement in Tamil Nadu, under the leadership of C. N. Annadurai and M. Karunanidhi. Their transformation of language skills to films through script writing, ensured their instant acceptance.^[19] Gansesan's entry in to films at this stage of popularity was easy and inevitable, and he could establish himself in a better position.

Ganesan made his acting debut in the 1952 Tamil film Parasakthi, co-starring actress Pandari Bai.^[24] The script was written by the former Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu, M. Karunanidhi.^[23][24][25] Since actors who are well-trained in classical dance can effectively showcase expressions called Nava Rasa on their faces, Ganesan went on to become one of the popular actors in Tamil cinema in the 1950s. His unique voice had a greater appeal. His style of dialogue delivery with a long spell of dialogues — like a poetry recitation with much clarity — earned him critical recognition.

Andha Naal (1954) was a trendsetter in Tamil cinema because it had no songs^[26] and Ganesan played an anti-hero. The film won the president's silver medal the following year. The same year he co-starred with his rival M. G. Ramachandran in Koondukkili where he played the antagonist.^[27]

Donning versatile roles: 1959–1964[link]

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.^[23][28] Incidentally, Ganesan was also the first Indian actor to get an award for Best Actor abroad.^[29] He has worked with many actresses, including Bhanumathi Ramakrishna, Pandaribai, Vyjayanthimala, Savithri, Padmini, Devika, B. Sarojadevi, K. R. Vijaya, Vanisri and J. Jayalalitha of his time. He also co-starred with other actors such as Gemini Ganesan, S.S.Rajendran, Muthuraman, M. R. Radha and S. V. Ranga Rao in numerous films in which he played the main lead.

1965–1969[link]

His portrayal of Lord Shiva in the movie Thiruvilayadal won him lot of accolades.^[30][31] In the film Navarathiri (1964), Ganesan played nine different roles that represented the nine emotional states of a person.^[32] Sanjeev Kumar and Akkineni Nageswara Rao were inspired by this film and reprised the nine roles in Naya Din Nayi Raat in 1974 and Navarathri in 1966 respectively.^[23] Ganesan could strike a balance between commercial cinema, Mythological cinema and experimental cinema. His epical portrayals in films like Thiruvilayaadal, Thiruvarutselvar, Saraswati Sabatham, Harichandran, Thirumal Perumai, Karnan and Thillana Mohanambal won him critical acclaim.^[33] He played a variety of roles such as freedom fighters like Kappalottiya Thamizhan,^[30] Vanchinathan, Tiruppur Kumaran, Bhagat Singh^[23] and epic characters like Harichandra, Karna, Bharatha, Narada, Appar, Nayanmars and Alwars.^[23] Spanning genres like epics to Crime thrillers; from romantic escapades to comic flicks and action flicks, Ganesan has spanned it all.

1970–1979[link]

Ganesan played supporting role to Rajendra Kumar in the Hindi film Dharti in 1970 which was a remake of his 1969 Tamil film Sivandha Mann, in which he played the lead role. In the Hindi version, Ganesan played the role which Muthuraman had essayed in the original. Several directors like Krishnan-Panju, T. R. Sundaram, A. P. Nagarajan, L. V. Prasad, B. R. Panthulu, T. Prakash Rao, A. Bhim Singh, K. Shankar, A. C. Tirulokchandar, C. V. Sridhar, P. Madhavan, K. S. Gopalakrishnan and K. Vijayan directed Ganesan in different roles.^[33]

Though he accumulated awards throughout the 1950s and 1960s, it was in 1972 that Ganesan delivered his first blockbuster Vasantha Maligai.^[34] Other films like Gauravam, Raja Raja Chozhan, Thri Soolam, Thankappathakkam and Sathyam, released during this period were highly successful.^[35] Many of his films were inspired and remade in Sinhalese. Films like Pilot Premnath and Mohana Punnagai were shot in Sri Lanka with Srilankan actors such as Malini Fonseka and Geetha Kumarasinghe playing the female lead.^[33] In 1979, he appeared in his second and final all-time blockbuster Thirisoolam, adapted from the Kannada film Shankar Guru in which Rajkumar had played the lead role.

Matured roles: 1980–1999[link]

The 1980s was a period in which Ganesan started enacting more matured roles. But still films like Rishi Moolam, Yamanukku Yaman, Chiranjeevi had Ganesan portraying lead roles. Muthal Mariyathai (1985) won him a Filmfare Award and Tamil Nadu State film Award under Best Actor category. In 1992 he acted in with Kamal Haasan in the critically acclaimed Thevar Magan which won him a Special Mention Award at the 40th National Film Awards.^[30] His other films released during this period are Pasumpon, En Aasai Raasaave and Once More where he was cast in prominent roles. He worked in Poopparikka Varugirom which released as his last film before his death, however the last film he worked in before his death was Padayappa (1999).^[36]

Political career[link]

Until 1955, Ganesan was a staunch sympathizer of the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam. In 1961, he became a strong supporter of the Indian National Congress. Due to his popularity and his rival MGR's success in politics Ganesan entered politics and had to face big setback as he lost consecutive elections. But due to his proximity with the then prime minister Indira Gandhi he was made the member of Rajya Sabha in 1983. Indira Gandhi's death in 1984 also brought Ganesan's political career to an end.^[37] In 1982, Indira Gandhi made him a Member of Parliament in the Rajya Sabha. After 1987, he left Congress and floated his own political party (Thamizhaga Munnetra Munnani). He became the president of the Tamil Nadu faction of the Janata Dal in 1989. Unlike his successful acting career, his political career was rather unsuccessful.^[19]

Family[link]

Ganesan was the second son of his family. He had two brothers.^[38] Ganesan married Kamala in 1952 and had four children.^[38] His younger son Prabhu is a notable Tamil actor.^[39] Ganesan established a film production company in the late 1950s, (now called as) Sivaji Productions, which is now being looked after by his eldest son Ramkumar.^[40] He has two daughters Shanthi and Thenmozhi.

Death[link]

Suffering from respiratory problems, Ganesan was admitted to the Apollo Hospital in Chennai on July 21, 2001.^[7] He also had been suffering from a prolonged heart ailment for about 10 years.^[41] He died at 7:45pm (IST) on July 21, 2001 at the age of 72. A documentary, Parasakthi Muthal Padayappa Varai was made to commemorate Sivaji Ganesan's legacy. His funeral was attended by thousands of viewers, politicians and personalities from the South Indian film fraternity.^[42]

Popularity[link]

When president Gamal Abdel Nasser of Egypt visited India, Sivaji Ganesan was the only individual, granted permission by the Indian prime minister Jawaharlal Nehru, to host a party for Nasser. Nasser was given a number of valuable mementos depicting the civilization and culture of South India.^[43] Sivaji Ganesan was the first artist from India to visit the United States of America, in the cultural exchange programme of the US Government, in 1962, where he established a good impression as Indian cultural ambassador. During his visit there, he was honored by being made the 'honorary mayor' of Niagara Falls City for one day and was presented the golden key to the city. The only other Indian who has had this honour before Ganesan was Jawaharlal Nehru.^[44] On March 22, 1976 he went over to Mauritius on an invitation from prime minister Ramagoolam and took part in their independence day celebration and stayed as their government guest for four days.^[43]

During his visit to the USA in June 1995, he visited Columbus, the capital of Ohio. Participating in the dinner hosted to honor Ganesan, the mayor of the city, Greg Lashutka, honored him by announcing him as a 'Honorary Citizen' of Columbus City . On the same occasion the mayor of Mount Vernon read out and gave him a special welcome citation. The 'Columbus Tamil Sangam' was formulated on that day, and Ganesan was made the honorary president of that association.^[43]

Ganesan has remained as one of the popular Tamil actors with a large fan base. At the peak of his career, Ganesan had 3000 registered fan clubs, which worked at promoting his image and films.^[45]

Acclaim and criticism[link]

Sivaji Ganesan is considered as one of the best Indian actors of all time.^[7] He was also acknowledged as a consummate actor and one of the most imitated ones. He was praised for his body language and his resounding voice and over-drawn dialogue delivery. Ganesan is known for his versatility and has acted as a blind man, a physically handicapped person in Bhaagapirivinai, a man with a scarred face as in Deiva Magan a murderer in Pudhiya Paravai, or a traitor as in Andha Naal which had no songs at all.^[26][19] In spite of his great acting skills, he has often been criticized for overacting.^[15]

Awards and honours[link]

Ganesan has won the President's Award for more than 12 times for his performance in various films.^[16] He was also honoured with civilian awards such as Padma Shri, Padma Bhushan and Dada Saheb Palke Award, the highest award in India for people involved in film industry.

Civilian honors[link]

• 1966 – Padma Shri from the Government of India^[33][46]
• 1984 – Padma Bhushan from the Government of India^[33][46]
• 1995 – Chevalier awarded by the National Order of the Legion of Honour of France.^[17][33] On April 22, 1995 at a ceremony held at the MAC Stadium in Chennai, Ganesan was presented with the Chevalier title and medallion by the French ambassador to India, Philip Petit.^[23][47]

International awards[link]

• 1960 – Best Actor Award at the Afro-Asian Film Festival for Veerapandiya Kattabomman^[23][33][46]

National Film Awards[link]

• 1993 – National Film Award – Special Jury Award for Thevar Magan^[30]
• 1997 – Dadasaheb Phalke Award.^[23][33][46]

Filmfare Awards South[link]

• 1973 – Best Actor Award for Gnana Oli^[48]
• 1974 – Best Actor Award for Gauravam^[48]
• 1986 – Best Actor Award for Muthal Mariyathai^[49]

Other honors[link]

• 1986 – Honorary doctorate from the Annamalai University
• 1997 – Kalaimamani from the Government of Tamil Nadu^[33]
• 1998 – NTR National Award from the Government of Andhra Pradesh^[50]

Posthumous honors[link]

A statue of Ganesan was erected on Kamarajar Road in Chennai, Tamil Nadu to honour the actor and was unveiled by the then Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M. Karunanidhi on 2006.^[25][43] The South Indian Film Artistes' Association as a tribute to Ganesan, declared that 1 October, the birth day of Ganesan, would be observed as Actors' Day by the association Chennai film industry.^[51] The Government of Maharashtra has instituted a state award, in the name of Ganesan, which is given under the Best Actor category every year entited "Sivaji Ganesan Award".^[17]

Notable filmography[link]