‘Chevalier’ ‘Sivaji’ Ganesan was one of a kind. He got the title of ‘Sivaji’ after he essayed the role of Chathrapati Shivaji Maharaj, the great Maratha Indian ruler during a stage performance. For a person, who left his home to become a theatre artist, the cinematic journey was really long and illustrious. He was a man, who overcame many obstacles in his way. He would go on to achieve stupendous success in Tamil cinema. He would go on to influence Tamil politics, too.
Early Days
Sivaji Ganesan was born as V. Chinniah Mandrayar Ganeshamurthy in Soorakottai in Orathanadu in Thanjavur in Tamil Nadu. Although he began his career as a theatre artist, it was Tamil cinema, which made him a household name.
While he essayed many roles, it was his strong theatre background which made his cinema performances very special. His landmark movies were ‘Parasakthi’ in 1952, ‘Andha Naal’ in 1954, ‘Uthama Puthiran’ in 1958, ‘Veerapandiya Kattabomman’ in 1959, ‘Thiruvilayadal’ in 1965, ‘Thillana Mohanambal’ in 1968, ‘Deiva Magan’ in 1969 etcetera.
He often donned female roles in his theatre years. Strangely that very experience made his walking style, very special. Generations of audiences were to be enthralled by his walking style. He was a versatile actor, who essayed a variety of roles. He made his acting debut in the movie, Parasakthi, in 1952. The story is really awe inspiring in the manner that it portrays the interaction between the history of India during the world war period and its impact on the lives of common people. Sivaji became the vehicle for DMK leader Karunanidhi’s propaganda in Parasakthi.
The Actor Who Was Elemental In Instilling Nationalism Among The Tamil Masses
Sivaji’s movies extolled the virtues of honesty and bravery. For an ordinary Tamil, it is Sivaji’s majestic look whihc appears when one hears the name ‘Veerapandiya Kattaboman’.
He also brought to life Raja Raja Cholan and ‘Kappalottiya Thamizhan’ V.O. Chidambaram Pillai with effortless ease.
The memorable dialogues between the sculptor character and the character of Raja Raja Chola portrayed by Sivaji Ganesan is an excellent portrayal of the greatness of the King Raja Raja Chola, the king who worked for the welfare of his people. The movie immortalises the great cultural and historical significance of the Chola reign.
Sivaji Ganesan essayed the main role in the movie, Bharatha Vilas, which laid emphasis on national integration and brotherhood. The song ‘Indhiya Naadu’ (from ‘Bharatha Vilas) had lyrics, which laid stress on Bharatiya nationalism and fraternal ties.
Sivaji Was Born To Don The Role Of Kings
Sivaji Ganesan’s complete true to life portrayal of larger than life characters like in ‘Karnan’ and Veerapandiya Kattaboman’ are very memorable. Thus, Sivaji was able to play both mythological characters like Lord Shiva and Karna as well as historical characters like Veerapandiya Kottabomman, very well. He made his characters come alive. Ganesan had the ability to make people smile, cry, feel anger and was thus able to create, a variety of many other types of emotions, as well.
The Hindu Antidote To An Atheist Dravidian Propaganda
He essayed the main role in many religious movies. In Thiruvilayadal, Ganesan acts with great power and strength. The character of Lord Shiva has been portrayed with great elegance by Ganesan. He has also acted in other landmark flms like ‘Kandhan Karunai’. His character as ‘Veera Bahu’ in the movie is quite amazing.
His portrayal of Karnan still brings out tears whenever one hears the ‘Ullathil Nalla Ullam’ song.
The Epitome Of Acting
He was addressed as ’Nadigar Thilagam’, which means ‘The epitome of acting’. He won the great French Honour, Chevalier Award in 1995. He won the highest honour in Indian Cinema, when he was decorated with the Dada Saheb Phalke award in 1996. What a versatile actor, Sivaji was. He could get into the skin of any character – right from Lord Shiva in Thiruvilayadal to a factory worker and rich man in Pasamalar. The most important aspect of the performance of Sivaji Ganesan, the actor is his consistency in acting performance! Whether it was ‘Parasakthi’ or ‘Veerapandiya Kattabomman’ or ‘Raja Raja Cholan’ or ‘Thiruvilayadal’ or ‘Pasamalar’ or ‘Deiva Magan’, his performances were always consistent. He always amazed his audience with his repertoire. Sivaji Ganesan remains an unparallaled actor in Indian and world cinema.
An Unapolgetic Nationalist
He stayed away from joining either the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam or the All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam in Tamil Nadu and was a true nationalist. He joined the Congress (back when it retained nationalist character) and later split to form a short-lived political party called Thamizhaga Munnetra Munnani.
Ganesan eventually regretted his decision to float his own party and merged the party with Janata Dal.
Thus, Thiru. Sivaji Ganesan portrayed patriotic and spiritual characters with perfection and passion. He was a staunch Indian nationalist, Tamilian and Hindu. He believed in one all-encompassing Bharat.
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