Sivaji Ganesan

Actor par excellence, thespian, Nadigar Thilakam, King among actors, Chevalier. These are but a few words used to describe Sivaji Ganesan. Sivaji is beyond doubt the greatest actor in Modern Indian cinema.

He has performed arguably the widest spectrum of roles, versatile in any category of acting and has been successful in all genres of films. Unfortunately for a lot of people (and fortunately for Tamilians) most of his work has been in Tamil Cinema. Last week I wrote a review on Abhishek Bachchan. Soon afterwards I found out that no one had written a review on Sivaji. Having watched the legend act for 20 years, it was scary to put to words a review on Sivaji.
Adding to this is the fact that his volume of work is enormous and I should do decent justice.

Hence I do ask people to add their comments and suggestions, if I’ve missed out something.

Once again, true justice to such talents like Sivaji or his counterpart in Hindi Dilip Kumar or in English Marlon Brando can be done by a book. A review of a few thousand words is only a snapshot of a career.

A Brief History

Sivaji was born as Ganesan in Sirkazhi, India. Since his childhood, he had deep interest in the theatrical sphere. Amongst his earliest roles were that of Sita in the Ramayana( a role deeply suited to his range and diction and voice). One of the roles he performed was Chatrapati Sivaji and the Social Reformer Periyar, gave him the title. Thus began the memorable career of Sivaji. His first role, he joined forces with M.Karunanidhi (Yup former Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu) and one of the best screenwriters in the Industry in the film ’’Parasakthi’’. As a vengeful young man forced into committing murder due to societal pressures, Sivaji lived the role. Voicing Karunanidhi’s powerful dialogues, he brought in a new presence into film, a raw power and energy that had been missing so far. The court room scene where he lashes out against the system is Cinematic history.

That kick-started a highly memorable career of Sivaji, one that lasted about 50 years and close to 300 roles in films in Tamil,Telugu, malayalam and Hindi.

One of his earliest roles was a film called ’’Andha Naal’’, a tour de force and an innovative film. Directed by Veena Balachander, the first shot shows the hero ie., Sivaji being killed. What follows is an Investigation and how the various characters try to interpret the murder during the course of the investigation. The film also had no songs, it was a path breaker in a time when Indian cinema had to have songs.

Sivaji also acted with some of the top stars of Indian Cinema. His confidence in his abilities and diction was so absolute, he did not fear any role. In the film Sampoorna Ramayanam, NT Rama Rao played Lord Rama. Sivaji was offered the role of loyal Bharata, a 5 minutes role. But he made that appearance into a brilliant performance much remembered and loved.
He acted with actors like MGR, Nageswara Rao and Gemini Ganeshan of his generation.

In recent times he acted in ’’Thevar Magan’’ with Kamal Hassan. The film was also remade in Hindi as ’’Virasat’’ by Anil Kapoor. His performance is powerful and poignant as the old Village leader struggling with communal and family problems. It is rumored that many top actors in Hindi were scared to do Sivaji’s role.
Sivaji’s last major role, was with Rajnikanth in the film ’’Padayappa’’.


Variety of Roles:

Sivaji Ganesan has done a broad spectrum of roles like:

Veerapandiya Kattabomman- Indian King who fights against the British in the 1800’s
Pasa Malar- Loving brother
Nava Rathri - 9 distinct roles in one film.
Arivali - a Village idiot.
Mahakavi Kalidas.
Kappalottiya Tamizhan- Freedom fighter V.O. Chidambaram
Thillana Mohanambal- Musician
Gowravam - Police Inspector in search of a thief.

These are but a few of the many roles he did. Spanning genres like Historical epics(as Bharata), to Crime thrillers(Puthiya Paravai), from romantic escapades to comic flicks(Thenali Raman) to action films. Sivaji has spanned it all. The surprising part is his convincing ability to use the various schools of acting based upon what role he played. Beyond that he was never afraid to take on roles which would break his image. Sivaji has acted in negative dark roles, roles that required even grotesque makeup to make him look in character.
In 1995 the Government of France awarded him the high title of Chevalier to recognize his contributions to Cinema.
It is sad that the Indian Government with its petty attitude and bias awarded Sivaji the Dadasaheb Phalke Award a few years later.
But as Kamal Hassan later said, ’’.. Sivaji is not honored by the Dadasaheb award. The award should be honored that greatness has been bestowed by adding Sivaji’s name to it.’’


Politics

His Political career was not so luminous. Sivaji’s trip to Tirupati to seek the Lord’s blessings, caused the atheistic DMK to expel Sivaji, who then joined the Congress and served in the Rajya Sabha for a few terms.
The Indian Cinema popularized abroad in the US has fallen into 2 categories, one is the gloomy stuff made by Satyajit Ray and his like. The other type is the popcorn variety by SRK, Hrithik and the like. The older classical films made by legends like Sivaji, Dilip Kumar, Nageswara Rao have not been awarded the exposure they so richly deserve.


’’An apostle of art, a paragon of virtue, and a master of craft- all put into one is Dr. Sivaji.’’ - Dr.Rajkumar.

Who is your all time favorite movie personality?

Kamal Hassan