Sivaji Ganesan(Oct 01,1928 - July 21,2001) - Actor Par Excellence

Viluppuram Chinnaiahpillai Ganesan Manrayar (விழுப்புரம் சின்னையாபிள்ளை கணேசன் மன்றாயர்),popularly known as Sivaji Ganesan ( சிவாஜி கணேசன்)
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 Districy

 Sivaji Ganesan is well known for his versatility and acting skills with numerous roles depicted on screen.In a career spanning 5 decades, Ganesan has performed a variety of characters.


Sivaji Ganesan made his film debut in "Parasakthi"(1952)

The portrayal of Lord Shiva in the movie Thiruvilayaadal (1965)won him lot of accolades.

In the film Navarathiri (1964), Sivaji Ganesan played nine different roles that represented the nine emotional states of a person

Sivaji Ganesan in ''Deiva Magan'' - Triple Role Played with ease

Memorable films  -

Parasakthi(1952),
Manohara(1953) - well remembered for dialogues
Raja Rani(1956),
Uthama Puthiran(1957) - well remembered for dual acting
Baga Pirivinai(1959)Veerapandiya Kattabomman (1959),
Padikkatha Methai(1960),PavaMannippu(1960)
Pasamalar(1961),Palum Pazhamum(1961),Parthaal Pasitheerum(1961),Padithal Mattum Pothuma(1961),Kappalotiya Thamizhan(1961), 
Balle Pandiya(1962),Aalaya Mani(1962),Kulamagal Radhai(1962), 
Karnan(1963),Paar Magalle Paar(1963),
Puthiya Paravai(1964),Navarathiri(1964), 
Thiruvilayaadal(1965) - well remembered for his performance as Lord Siva
Saraswathi Sabatham(1966), 
Thiruvarutselvar(1967), Kandan Karunai(1967), 
Thirumal Perumai(1968),Uyarntha Manithan(1968),Thillana Mohanaambal(1968),
Deiva Magan(1969) - well remembered for triple role played with such perfection
Vietnam Veedu(1970),Engiruntho Vanthaal(1970),Sorgam(1970),
Savaalae Samali(1971),Moondru Deivangal(1971),Pattikkada Pattinama(1971),
Vasantha Maaligai(1972),Bharatha Vilas(1972),Raja Raja Chozhan(1972),Gnana Oli(1972)
Gauravam(1973) - well remembered for dual acting
Thangappathakkam(1974),Avanthan Manithan(1974),
Dr Siva(1975),
Uthaman(1976),Dheepam(1976),
Annan Oru Lovil(1977),Andaman Kathali(1977),
Pilot Premnath(1978),Thirisoolam(1978),Kavari Maan(1978),
Pattakkathi Bairavan(1979),
Kalthoon(1981),
Theerpu(1982),Thiyagi(1982),
Vellai Roja(1983),Mirudhanga Chakravarthy(1983),
Mudal Mariyathai(1985) - well remembered for subtle acting

won him critical acclaim.

Awards

Sivaji Ganesan has won(Best Actor)TN State Award for the movies -

• Deiva Magan(1969)
• Vietnam Veedu(1970)
• Vasantha Maaligai(1972)
• Gauravam(1973)
• Mudal Mariyathai(1985)

Sivaji Ganesan has won (Best Actor)Filmfare Award for the movies -

• Gnana Oli(1972)
• Gauravam(1973)
• Mudal Mariyathai(1985)

 International Awards
Sivaji Ganesan was the first South Indian film actor to win a best actor award in an international film festival, the Afro-Asian Film Festival held in Cairo, Egypt in 1959 for "Veerapandiya Kattabomman"
 Sivaji Ganesan was awarded the Chevalier in 1995, given by the National Order of the Legion of Honour of France.

Indian Govt. Awards

• Dadasaheb Palke Award in 1997
• Padma Shri in 1966
• Padma Bhushan in 1984

                                                                               

  

                                                                               

 Sivaji Ganesan was considered to be one of the finest  actors in India praised for his body language; his resounding voice and dialogue delivery.He took on roles which most other actors would have refused without any hesitation. But he accepted to play roles like a blind man, a physically handicapped person in Bhaagapirivinai, or a man with a scarred face as in Deiva Magan or a murderer in Puthiya Paravai, or a traitor as in Andha Naal which film had no songs at all and proved everyone that he is such a versatile actor.

Death
Suffering from respiratory problems, Ganesan was admitted to the Apollo Hospital on July 21,2001 and died at 7.45 P.M at the age of 72

His funeral the next day was telecast live on Sun TV and was attended by thousands of viewers, politicians and personalities from the South Indian film fraternity. His eldest son, Ramkumar, performed his last rites at the Besant Nagar Crematorium, Chennai
A documentary, Parasakthi Muthal Padayappa Varai was made to commemorate Sivaji Ganesan's legacy.

Posthumous Honours

Pondicherry was the first state to erect a statue of Sivaji Ganesan in honour of his acting skills and his huge fan base in the state

 

A Statue of Sivaji 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

 

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

The Govt of Maharashtra has instituted a state award, in the name of Ganesan, which is given under the Best Actor category every year entitled "Sivaji Ganesan Award" 

Postage honouring Sivaji Ganesan