SIVAJI GANESAN

Marlon Brando spoke of him saying "He can act like me but I can't act like him."

In over 300 films, most of them in Tamil, Sivaji Ganesan has lived out the entire gamut of roles for the screen - landlord or beggar, policeman or thief, prince or outcast, father or son, friend or foe, heroic warrior or despicable coward.

Born on October 1st 1927, Villupuram Chiniah Pillai Ganesan received little formal education. He dropped out of school to join a boy's Drama Company.

Renowned social reformer E.V. Ramasamy Naickar (fondly called Periyar) conferred on him the title 'Sivaji', after watching his outstanding performance as the Maratha warrior - Chatrapati Sivaji.

With his debut film Paraasakthi (1952), he became an overnight sensation. Through a career spanning four decades, Sivaji's histrionic brilliance and unmatched dialogue delivery, offered viewers riveting performances in films like Veera Paandia Kattabomman, Manohara, Utthama Puthiran, Kappalottiya Thamizhan, Thiruvarutchelvar, Thiruvillayadal, Navaraathri (where he plays nine characters!), Paasa Malar, Pudhiya Paravai, Mudhal Mariadhai and Thevar Magan.

Sivaji's uncanny ability to portray his characters is legendary. He gets across every shade of emotion with fascinating ease. And yet, is the Director's slave.

Among the awards conferred on him are the 'Padmashri' and the French government's 'Chevalier' award.

For more on Sivaji Ganesan - www.sivaji-prabhu.com

|