Sivaji Ganesan life and biography

Sivaji Ganesan was a legendary Indian film actor and one of the first method actors in India, active during the latter half of the 20th century. His fame came from his versatility and expressive prowess in Tamil cinema.

He was the first South Indian film actor who won a best actor award in an international film festival, the Afro-Asian Film Festival held in Cairo, Egypt during 1959.

Sivaji's legacy of acting is still admired today, also being an influence to many other Indian film actors. It has been admitted by most of the leading South Indian film actors that their acting was influenced by Ganesan. He is known for histrionic performances in films which some critics call 'over-acting'.

Ganesan is remembered as the iconic figure of Tamil cinema. He is referred to as 'The Marlon Brando of South Indian Cinema'.From Parasakthi onwards, he has won the President's Award for more than 12 times. 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. In spite of his celebrated film career, his short stint in politics became a futile attempt.

Ganesan was born on October 1, 1927 to Chinnaiya Manrayar and Rajamani in a Tamil middle-class Kallar family in Villupuram. His ancestors were from a village called Surakottai in Thanjavur District. His father was arrested on the day in which Ganesan was born for taking part in an anti-British campaign in Viluppuram. Ganesan's inspiration for acting was inborn and when he got a chance to act on stage for a touring drama company he utilized it without his father's consent at the age of seven. At the age of 10, he moved to Tiruchirappalli and joined a drama troupe in Sangiliyandapuram and began to perform in stage plays. From the drama troupe trainers he was 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 it before the audience brilliantly with perfection which 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" 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".

Notable filmography:

1952 : Parasakthi
1953 : Pardesi / Poongothai
1955 : Mudhal Thethi
1956 : Amara Deepam
1956 : Tenali Raman
1956 : Rangoon Radha

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