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Tony Award-winning actor Annaleigh Ashford joined fellow Broadway Coloradans Beth Malone ("Fun Home") and Mara Davi ("Dames at Sea" for "United in Love," a special concert event benefiting the Denver Actors Fund on April 30 at the Lone Tree Arts Center. The three were "back to give back," joined by powerhouse singer, actor and First Lady of Denver Mary Louise; Broadway’s Jodie Langel ("Les Misérables"); composer Denise Gentilini ("I Am Alive") and Denver performers Jimmy Bruenger, Eugene Ebner, Becca Fletcher, Clarissa Fugazzotto, Robert Johnson, Daniel Langhoff, Susannah McLeod, Chloe McLeod, Sarah Rex, Jeremy Rill, Kristen Samu, Willow Samu, Thaddeus Valdez, and the casts of both "The Jerseys" (Klint Rudolph, Brian Smith, Paul Dwyer and Randy St. Pierre), and the all-student cast of the upcoming "13 the Musical" (Rylee Vogel, Josh Cellar, Hannah Meg Weinraub, Hannah Katz, Lorenzo Giovannetti, Maddie Kee, Kaden Hinkle, Darrow Klein, Evan Gibley, Conrad Eck and Macy Friday). The purpose of the evening was to spread a message of love and hope while raising funds for the Denver Actors Fund, which has made $90,000 available to local theatre artists facing situational medical need. The concert was presented by presented by Ebner-Page Productions. Photos by RDG Photography, Gary Duff and DCPA Senior Arts Journalist John Moore, also the founder of the Denver Actors Fund. For more information, go to www.denveractorsfund.org
Tony Award-winning actor Annaleigh Ashford joined fellow Broadway Coloradans Beth Malone ("Fun Home") and Mara Davi ("Dames at Sea" for "United in Love," a special concert event benefiting the Denver Actors Fund on April 30 at the Lone Tree Arts Center. The three were "back to give back," joined by powerhouse singer, actor and First Lady of Denver Mary Louise; Broadway’s Jodie Langel ("Les Misérables"); composer Denise Gentilini ("I Am Alive") and Denver performers Jimmy Bruenger, Eugene Ebner, Becca Fletcher, Clarissa Fugazzotto, Robert Johnson, Daniel Langhoff, Susannah McLeod, Chloe McLeod, Sarah Rex, Jeremy Rill, Kristen Samu, Willow Samu, Thaddeus Valdez, and the casts of both "The Jerseys" (Klint Rudolph, Brian Smith, Paul Dwyer and Randy St. Pierre), and the all-student cast of the upcoming "13 the Musical" (Rylee Vogel, Josh Cellar, Hannah Meg Weinraub, Hannah Katz, Lorenzo Giovannetti, Maddie Kee, Kaden Hinkle, Darrow Klein, Evan Gibley, Conrad Eck and Macy Friday). The purpose of the evening was to spread a message of love and hope while raising funds for the Denver Actors Fund, which has made $90,000 available to local theatre artists facing situational medical need. The concert was presented by presented by Ebner-Page Productions. Photos by RDG Photography, Gary Duff and DCPA Senior Arts Journalist John Moore, also the founder of the Denver Actors Fund. For more information, go to www.denveractorsfund.org
I think they're part of some sort of acting troup as there were other photos in the collection of people in costume. c.1910
Guests Paul Phear (Magic FM), Louise Lawrence (Tiger Aspect) and Merry George with cast member William Tapley (Sam)
Taken at Mamma Mia! media night party, Delfont Room, Prince of Wales Theatre on September 7, 2011.
Photo credit: Scott Matthewman.
Actor James Dean died on 9/30/55 in a car accident at an intersection near the tiny town of Cholame, California. On 9/30/05, fans gathered to memoralize the 50th Anniversary of his death. The intersection was formally declared the JAMES DEAN MEMORIAL JUNCTION.
Tony Award-winning actor Annaleigh Ashford joined fellow Broadway Coloradans Beth Malone ("Fun Home") and Mara Davi ("Dames at Sea" for "United in Love," a special concert event benefiting the Denver Actors Fund on April 30 at the Lone Tree Arts Center. The three were "back to give back," joined by powerhouse singer, actor and First Lady of Denver Mary Louise; Broadway’s Jodie Langel ("Les Misérables"); composer Denise Gentilini ("I Am Alive") and Denver performers Jimmy Bruenger, Eugene Ebner, Becca Fletcher, Clarissa Fugazzotto, Robert Johnson, Daniel Langhoff, Susannah McLeod, Chloe McLeod, Sarah Rex, Jeremy Rill, Kristen Samu, Willow Samu, Thaddeus Valdez, and the casts of both "The Jerseys" (Klint Rudolph, Brian Smith, Paul Dwyer and Randy St. Pierre), and the all-student cast of the upcoming "13 the Musical" (Rylee Vogel, Josh Cellar, Hannah Meg Weinraub, Hannah Katz, Lorenzo Giovannetti, Maddie Kee, Kaden Hinkle, Darrow Klein, Evan Gibley, Conrad Eck and Macy Friday). The purpose of the evening was to spread a message of love and hope while raising funds for the Denver Actors Fund, which has made $90,000 available to local theatre artists facing situational medical need. The concert was presented by presented by Ebner-Page Productions. Photos by RDG Photography, Gary Duff and DCPA Senior Arts Journalist John Moore, also the founder of the Denver Actors Fund. For more information, go to www.denveractorsfund.org
Viluppuram Chinnaiahpillai Ganesan (1 October 1928 – 21 July 2001),[2] or Vettaithidal Chinnaiah Ganesan,[3] but commonly known by his stage name Sivaji Ganesan,[2][4][5] was an Indian stage and film actor active during the latter half of the 20th century[6] and was one of the most respected film actors in India.[7] He was well known for his versatility and acting skills with numerous roles depicted on screen,[8] which gave him also the Tamil honorific name Nadigar Thillagam (English: the pride of actors).[9] He progressed from a stage actor since his childhood to the filmdom with such an authority that the Tamil cinema considered as the golden era. In a career spanning close to five decades he has acted in nearly 300 films in Tamil, Telugu, Kannada, Malayalam and Hindi.[10]
Ganesan was the first Indian film actor to win a "Best Actor" award in an International film festival, the Afro-Asian Film Festival held in Cairo, Egypt in 1960. Many leading South Indian film actors have stated that their acting was influenced by Ganesan.[11][12][13] He was also the first Indian actor to be made a Chevalier of the Ordre des Arts et des Lettres.[14]
Ganesan is remembered as the iconic figure of Tamil cinema.[15][16] He is referred to as "The Marlon Brando of Indian Cinema".[17][18] From Parasakthi onwards, he has won the President's Award for more than 12 times.[19] 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.[20][21] He received in 1998 the NTR National Award. In spite of his celebrated film career, his short stint in politics became a futile attempt.[22]
Early life[edit]
Ganesan was born on 1 October 1928.[2][4][5]
Ganesan's inspiration for acting was inborn; when he got a chance to act on stage for a touring drama company he took it without his father's consent at the age of seven.[10] At the age of 10, he moved to Tiruchirappalli and joined a drama troupe in Sangiliyandapuram and began to perform in stage plays.[23] From the drama troupe trainers he was very 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 them to the audience brilliantly with perfection. This 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"[10] 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".[24]
Film career[edit]
Early career: 1952–1959[edit]
The famous court scene from Parasakthi, Ganesan'sdebut film which propelled him to stardom overnight
Two factors can be attributed the entry of Ganesan into films: The principal artists in Tamil films during the 1940s and 1950s were Telugus, whose acting was not matched by their dialogue delivery in Tamil. (In fact, Sivaji Ganesan lent his voice to Mukkamala Krishna Murthy, a Telugu actor, for a Tamil film, Niraparathi. The film was well received by the Tamil audience.) Secondly, the 1950s saw the growth of the Dravidian movement in Tamil Nadu, under the leadership of C. N. Annadurai and M. Karunanidhi. Their transformation of language skills to films through script writing, ensured their instant acceptance.[22] Ganesan's entry into films at this stage of popularity was easy and inevitable, and he could establish himself in a better position.
Ganesan made his acting debut in the 1952 Tamil film Parasakthi, co-starring actress Pandari Bai.[25] The script was written by later Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu, M. Karunanidhi.[24][25][26] Since actors who are well-trained in classical dance can effectively showcase expressions called Nava Rasa on their faces, Ganesan went on to become one of the popular actors in Tamil cinema in the 1950s. His unique voice had a greater appeal. His style of dialogue delivery with a long spell of dialogues — like a poetry recitation with much clarity — earned him critical recognition.
Andha Naal (1954) was a trendsetter in Tamil cinema because it had no songs[27] and Ganesan played an anti-hero. The film won the president's silver medal the following year. The same year he co-starred with his rival M. G. Ramachandran in Koondukkili where he played the antagonist.[28]
Donning versatile roles: 1959–1964[edit]
His role in the film Veerapaandiya Kattabomman won him the Best Actor Award at the Afro-Asian Film Festival held in March 1960 at Cairo.[24][29] Incidentally, Ganesan was also the first Indian actor to get an award for Best Actor abroad.[30] He has worked with many actresses, including Bhanumathi Ramakrishna, Pandaribai, Vyjayanthimala, Savithri, Padmini, Devika, B. Sarojadevi, K. R. Vijaya, Vanisri and J. Jayalalitha of his time. He also co-starred with other actors such as Gemini Ganesan, S.S.Rajendran, Muthuraman, M. R. Radha and S. V. Ranga Rao in numerous films in which he played the main lead.
Puranic and Historical Roles: 1965–1969[edit]
His portrayal of Lord Shiva in the movie Thiruvilayadal won him lot of accolades.[31][32] In the film Navarathiri (1964), Ganesan played nine different roles that represented the nine emotional states of a person.[33] Sanjeev Kumar and Akkineni Nageswara Rao were inspired by this film and reprised the nine roles in Naya Din Nayi Raat in 1974 and Navarathri in 1966 respectively.[24] Ganesan could strike a balance between commercial cinema, Mythological cinema and experimental cinema. His epical portrayals in films like Thiruvilayaadal, Thiruvarutselvar, Saraswati Sabatham, Harichandran, Thirumal Perumai, Karnan and Thillana Mohanambal won him critical acclaim.[34] He played a variety of roles such as freedom fighters like Kappalottiya Thamizhan,[31] Vanchinathan, Tiruppur Kumaran, Bhagat Singh[24] and epic characters like Harichandra, Karna, Bharatha, Narada, Appar, Nayanmars and Alwars.[24] Spanning genres like epics to Crime thrillers; from romantic escapades to comic flicks and action flicks, Ganesan has spanned it all.
Superstardom – Varied Roles: 1970–1979[edit]
Ganesan played supporting rôle to Rajendra Kumar in the Hindi film Dharti in 1970 which was a remake of his 1969 Tamil film Sivandha Mann, in which he played the lead rôle. In the Hindi version, Ganesan played the rôle which Muthuraman had essayed in the original. Several directors like Krishnan-Panju, T. R. Sundaram, A. P. Nagarajan, L. V. Prasad, B. R. Panthulu, T. Prakash Rao, A. Bhim Singh, K. Shankar, A. C. Tirulokchandar, C. V. Sridhar, P. Madhavan, K. S. Gopalakrishnan and K. Vijayan directed Ganesan in different roles.[34] Kongara Jaggayya offered his voice to Sivaji when his movies were dubbed into Telugu.
Though he accumulated awards throughout the 1950s and 1960s, it was in 1972 that Ganesan delivered his first blockbuster Vasantha Maligai.[35] Other films like Gauravam, Raja Raja Chozhan, Thri Soolam, Thankappathakkam and Sathyam, released during this period were highly successful.[36] Many of his films were inspired and remade in Sinhalese. Films like Pilot Premnath and Mohana Punnagai were shot in Sri Lanka with Sri Lankan actors such as Malini Fonseka and Geetha Kumarasinghe playing the female lead.[34] In 1979, he appeared in his second and final all-time blockbuster Thirisoolam, adapted from the Kannada film Shankar Guru in which Rajkumar had played the lead rôle.
Matured roles: 1980–1999[edit]
The 1980s was a period in which Ganesan started enacting more matured roles. But still films like Rishi Moolam, Yamanukku Yaman, Chiranjeevi had Ganesan portraying lead roles. Muthal Mariyathai (1985) won him a Filmfare Award and Tamil Nadu State film Award under Best Actor category. In 1992, he acted in with Kamal Haasan in the critically acclaimed Thevar Magan which won him a Special Mention Award at the 40th National Film Awards.[31] His other films released during this period are Pasumpon, En Aasai Raasaave and Once More where he was cast in prominent roles. He worked in Poopparikka Varugirom which released as his last film before his death, however the last film he worked in before his death was Padayappa (1999).[37]
Political career[edit]
Until 1955, Ganesan was a staunch sympathiser of the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam. In 1961, he became a strong supporter of the Indian National Congress. Due to his popularity, he was requested to be part of the National Congress Tamil Nadu. His respect for Kamaraj made him to support Congress. He was made the rajya sabha Member of Parliament by then prime minister Indira Gandhi Indira Gandhi's death in 1984 also brought Ganesan's political career to an end.[38] After 1987, he floated his own political party (Thamizhaga Munnetra Munnani). He became the president of the Tamil Nadu faction of the Janata Dal in 1989. Unlike his highly successful acting career, his political career was rather unsuccessful.[22]
Family[edit]
Ganesan was the second son of his family. He had two brothers.[39] Ganesan married Kamala in 1952 and had four children.[39] His younger son Prabhu is a notable Tamil actor.[40] Ganesan established a film production company in the late 1950s, (now called as) Sivaji Productions, which is now being looked after by his eldest son Ramkumar.[41] He has two daughters Shanthi and Thenmozhi. His grandson and son of Prabhu Ganesan, Vikram Prabhu debuted in the critically acclaimed film Kumki in 2012.This is a mass hit film.
Death[edit]
Suffering from respiratory problems, Ganesan was admitted to the Apollo Hospital in Chennai on 21 July 2001.[10] He also had been suffering from a prolonged heart ailment for about 10 years.[42] He died at 7:45 pm (IST) on 21 July 2001 at the age of 72. A documentary, Parasakthi Muthal Padayappa Varai was made to commemorate Sivaji Ganesan's legacy. 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.[43] His eldest son, Ramkumar, performed his last rites at the Besant Nagar Crematorium, Chennai.[44]
Popularity[edit]
Ganesan Statue on Kamarajar Road in Chennai
When President Gamal Abdel Nasser of Egypt visited India, Sivaji Ganesan was the only individual, granted permission by the then-Indian Prime Minister, Jawaharlal Nehru, to host a party for Nasser. Nasser was given a number of valuable mementos depicting the civilisation and culture of South India.[45] Sivaji Ganesan was the first artist from India to visit the United States, in the cultural exchange programme of the US government, in 1962, invited by the then-US President, John F. Kennedy, where he took the rôle of India's cultural ambassador. During his visit there, he was honoured by being made the honorary mayor of Niagara Falls, New York for one day and was presented the key to the city. The only other Indian who has had this honour before Ganesan was Jawaharlal Nehru.[46] On 22 March 1976, he went over to Mauritius on an invitation from Prime Minister Ramagoolam and took part in their independence day celebrations and stayed as their government guest for four days.[45]
During his visit to the United States in June 1995, he visited Columbus, Ohio. Participating in the dinner hosted to honour Ganesan, the Mayor of the city, Greg Lashutka, honoured him by announcing him as an honorary citizen of Columbus. On the same occasion the Mayor of Mount Vernon read out and gave him a special welcome citation. The Columbus Tamil Sangam was formulated on that day and Ganesan was made the honorary President of that association.[45]
Ganesan has remained as one of the popular Tamil actors with a large fan base. At the peak of his career, Ganesan had 3000 registered fan clubs, which worked at promoting his image and films.[47]
Acclaim and criticism[edit]
Sivaji Ganesan is considered as one of the best Indian actors of all time.[10] He was also acknowledged as a consummate actor and one of the most imitated ones. He was praised for his body language and his resounding voice and dialogue delivery. Ganesan is known for his versatility and has acted as a blind man, a physically handicapped person in Bhaagapirivinai, a man with a scarred face as in Deiva Magan a murderer in Pudhiya Paravai, or a traitor as in Andha Naal which had no songs at all.[22][27]
Awards and honours[edit]
See also: Sivaji Ganesan filmography
Ganesan has won the President's Award for more than 12 times for his performance in various films.[19] He was also honored with civilian awards such as Padma Shri, Padma Bhushan and Dada Saheb Palke Award, the highest award in India for people involved in film industry.
Civilian honours – National & International[edit]
1966 – Padma Shri from the Government of India[34][48]
1984 – Padma Bhushan from the Government of India[34][48]
1995 – Chevalier awarded by the National Order of the Legion of Honour of France.[20][34] On 22 April 1995 at a ceremony held at the MAC Stadium in Chennai, Ganesan was presented with the Chevalier title and medallion by the French ambassador to India, Philip Petit.[24][49]
International awards[edit]
He is first Indian actor to get the best actor award from a foreign film festival 1960 – Best Actor in Asia – Africa Continent Award at the Afro-Asian Film Festival for Veerapandiya Kattabomman[24][34][48]
Other International honors[edit]
1960 – One Day Mayor for the city of Niagara Falls and was presented with the Golden Key of Cairo. Pandit Jawaharlal is the only person besides Mr. Ganesan getting this honor
1964 – Cultural Ambassador of India invited by John F. Kennedy under the Cultural Exchange Programme
1991 – Citizenship in the Columbia, USA by the Government of United States
National Film Awards[edit]
1992 – National Film Award – Special Jury Award for Thevar Magan[31]
1997 – Dadasaheb Phalke Award.[24][34][48]
Filmfare Awards South[edit]
1973 – Best Actor Award for Gnana Oli[50]
1974 – Best Actor Award for Gauravam[50]
1986 – Best Actor Award for Muthal Mariyathai[51]
Other honours[edit]
1986 – Honorary doctorate from the Annamalai University
1997 – Kalaimamani from the Government of Tamil Nadu[34]
1998 – NTR National Award from the Government of Andhra Pradesh[52]
Posthumous honours[edit]
Pondicherry (Puducherry) 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 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.[26][45] 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 Chennai film industry.[53] The Government 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".[20]
Tony Award-winning actor Annaleigh Ashford joined fellow Broadway Coloradans Beth Malone ("Fun Home") and Mara Davi ("Dames at Sea" for "United in Love," a special concert event benefiting the Denver Actors Fund on April 30 at the Lone Tree Arts Center. The three were "back to give back," joined by powerhouse singer, actor and First Lady of Denver Mary Louise; Broadway’s Jodie Langel ("Les Misérables"); composer Denise Gentilini ("I Am Alive") and Denver performers Jimmy Bruenger, Eugene Ebner, Becca Fletcher, Clarissa Fugazzotto, Robert Johnson, Daniel Langhoff, Susannah McLeod, Chloe McLeod, Sarah Rex, Jeremy Rill, Kristen Samu, Willow Samu, Thaddeus Valdez, and the casts of both "The Jerseys" (Klint Rudolph, Brian Smith, Paul Dwyer and Randy St. Pierre), and the all-student cast of the upcoming "13 the Musical" (Rylee Vogel, Josh Cellar, Hannah Meg Weinraub, Hannah Katz, Lorenzo Giovannetti, Maddie Kee, Kaden Hinkle, Darrow Klein, Evan Gibley, Conrad Eck and Macy Friday). The purpose of the evening was to spread a message of love and hope while raising funds for the Denver Actors Fund, which has made $90,000 available to local theatre artists facing situational medical need. The concert was presented by presented by Ebner-Page Productions. Photos by RDG Photography, Gary Duff and DCPA Senior Arts Journalist John Moore, also the founder of the Denver Actors Fund. For more information, go to www.denveractorsfund.org
En El escenario aumentado III exploramos dispositivos escénicos para actuar, jugar, bailar o hacer malabares. Mostraremos herramientas que aumentan la posibilidades formales y expresivas de los actores (Demodrama-faces de Enrique Esteban García, Patricia Esteban García e Ismael García Abad), sistemas para reinterpretar con movimiento las imágenes de nuestra memoria (Juego en danza de Jorge Cano), y un secuenciador sonoro que se activa con pelotas de malabares y que permite probar infinitos patrones orbitales (Colores de Daniel Sánchez).
En El escenario aumentado III exploramos dispositivos escénicos para actuar, jugar, bailar o hacer malabares. Mostraremos herramientas que aumentan la posibilidades formales y expresivas de los actores (Demodrama-faces de Enrique Esteban García, Patricia Esteban García e Ismael García Abad), sistemas para reinterpretar con movimiento las imágenes de nuestra memoria (Juego en danza de Jorge Cano), y un secuenciador sonoro que se activa con pelotas de malabares y que permite probar infinitos patrones orbitales (Colores de Daniel Sánchez).
Anushka Sharma at India's Got Talent grand finale in Filmcity, Mumbai on 21st Nov 2012 shown to user
Viluppuram Chinnaiahpillai Ganesan (1 October 1928 – 21 July 2001),[2] or Vettaithidal Chinnaiah Ganesan,[3] but commonly known by his stage name Sivaji Ganesan,[2][4][5] was an Indian stage and film actor active during the latter half of the 20th century[6] and was one of the most respected film actors in India.[7] He was well known for his versatility and acting skills with numerous roles depicted on screen,[8] which gave him also the Tamil honorific name Nadigar Thillagam (English: the pride of actors).[9] He progressed from a stage actor since his childhood to the filmdom with such an authority that the Tamil cinema considered as the golden era. In a career spanning close to five decades he has acted in nearly 300 films in Tamil, Telugu, Kannada, Malayalam and Hindi.[10]
Ganesan was the first Indian film actor to win a "Best Actor" award in an International film festival, the Afro-Asian Film Festival held in Cairo, Egypt in 1960. Many leading South Indian film actors have stated that their acting was influenced by Ganesan.[11][12][13] He was also the first Indian actor to be made a Chevalier of the Ordre des Arts et des Lettres.[14]
Ganesan is remembered as the iconic figure of Tamil cinema.[15][16] He is referred to as "The Marlon Brando of Indian Cinema".[17][18] From Parasakthi onwards, he has won the President's Award for more than 12 times.[19] 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.[20][21] He received in 1998 the NTR National Award. In spite of his celebrated film career, his short stint in politics became a futile attempt.[22]
Early life[edit]
Ganesan was born on 1 October 1928.[2][4][5]
Ganesan's inspiration for acting was inborn; when he got a chance to act on stage for a touring drama company he took it without his father's consent at the age of seven.[10] At the age of 10, he moved to Tiruchirappalli and joined a drama troupe in Sangiliyandapuram and began to perform in stage plays.[23] From the drama troupe trainers he was very 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 them to the audience brilliantly with perfection. This 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"[10] 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".[24]
Film career[edit]
Early career: 1952–1959[edit]
The famous court scene from Parasakthi, Ganesan'sdebut film which propelled him to stardom overnight
Two factors can be attributed the entry of Ganesan into films: The principal artists in Tamil films during the 1940s and 1950s were Telugus, whose acting was not matched by their dialogue delivery in Tamil. (In fact, Sivaji Ganesan lent his voice to Mukkamala Krishna Murthy, a Telugu actor, for a Tamil film, Niraparathi. The film was well received by the Tamil audience.) Secondly, the 1950s saw the growth of the Dravidian movement in Tamil Nadu, under the leadership of C. N. Annadurai and M. Karunanidhi. Their transformation of language skills to films through script writing, ensured their instant acceptance.[22] Ganesan's entry into films at this stage of popularity was easy and inevitable, and he could establish himself in a better position.
Ganesan made his acting debut in the 1952 Tamil film Parasakthi, co-starring actress Pandari Bai.[25] The script was written by later Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu, M. Karunanidhi.[24][25][26] Since actors who are well-trained in classical dance can effectively showcase expressions called Nava Rasa on their faces, Ganesan went on to become one of the popular actors in Tamil cinema in the 1950s. His unique voice had a greater appeal. His style of dialogue delivery with a long spell of dialogues — like a poetry recitation with much clarity — earned him critical recognition.
Andha Naal (1954) was a trendsetter in Tamil cinema because it had no songs[27] and Ganesan played an anti-hero. The film won the president's silver medal the following year. The same year he co-starred with his rival M. G. Ramachandran in Koondukkili where he played the antagonist.[28]
Donning versatile roles: 1959–1964[edit]
His role in the film Veerapaandiya Kattabomman won him the Best Actor Award at the Afro-Asian Film Festival held in March 1960 at Cairo.[24][29] Incidentally, Ganesan was also the first Indian actor to get an award for Best Actor abroad.[30] He has worked with many actresses, including Bhanumathi Ramakrishna, Pandaribai, Vyjayanthimala, Savithri, Padmini, Devika, B. Sarojadevi, K. R. Vijaya, Vanisri and J. Jayalalitha of his time. He also co-starred with other actors such as Gemini Ganesan, S.S.Rajendran, Muthuraman, M. R. Radha and S. V. Ranga Rao in numerous films in which he played the main lead.
Puranic and Historical Roles: 1965–1969[edit]
His portrayal of Lord Shiva in the movie Thiruvilayadal won him lot of accolades.[31][32] In the film Navarathiri (1964), Ganesan played nine different roles that represented the nine emotional states of a person.[33] Sanjeev Kumar and Akkineni Nageswara Rao were inspired by this film and reprised the nine roles in Naya Din Nayi Raat in 1974 and Navarathri in 1966 respectively.[24] Ganesan could strike a balance between commercial cinema, Mythological cinema and experimental cinema. His epical portrayals in films like Thiruvilayaadal, Thiruvarutselvar, Saraswati Sabatham, Harichandran, Thirumal Perumai, Karnan and Thillana Mohanambal won him critical acclaim.[34] He played a variety of roles such as freedom fighters like Kappalottiya Thamizhan,[31] Vanchinathan, Tiruppur Kumaran, Bhagat Singh[24] and epic characters like Harichandra, Karna, Bharatha, Narada, Appar, Nayanmars and Alwars.[24] Spanning genres like epics to Crime thrillers; from romantic escapades to comic flicks and action flicks, Ganesan has spanned it all.
Superstardom – Varied Roles: 1970–1979[edit]
Ganesan played supporting rôle to Rajendra Kumar in the Hindi film Dharti in 1970 which was a remake of his 1969 Tamil film Sivandha Mann, in which he played the lead rôle. In the Hindi version, Ganesan played the rôle which Muthuraman had essayed in the original. Several directors like Krishnan-Panju, T. R. Sundaram, A. P. Nagarajan, L. V. Prasad, B. R. Panthulu, T. Prakash Rao, A. Bhim Singh, K. Shankar, A. C. Tirulokchandar, C. V. Sridhar, P. Madhavan, K. S. Gopalakrishnan and K. Vijayan directed Ganesan in different roles.[34] Kongara Jaggayya offered his voice to Sivaji when his movies were dubbed into Telugu.
Though he accumulated awards throughout the 1950s and 1960s, it was in 1972 that Ganesan delivered his first blockbuster Vasantha Maligai.[35] Other films like Gauravam, Raja Raja Chozhan, Thri Soolam, Thankappathakkam and Sathyam, released during this period were highly successful.[36] Many of his films were inspired and remade in Sinhalese. Films like Pilot Premnath and Mohana Punnagai were shot in Sri Lanka with Sri Lankan actors such as Malini Fonseka and Geetha Kumarasinghe playing the female lead.[34] In 1979, he appeared in his second and final all-time blockbuster Thirisoolam, adapted from the Kannada film Shankar Guru in which Rajkumar had played the lead rôle.
Matured roles: 1980–1999[edit]
The 1980s was a period in which Ganesan started enacting more matured roles. But still films like Rishi Moolam, Yamanukku Yaman, Chiranjeevi had Ganesan portraying lead roles. Muthal Mariyathai (1985) won him a Filmfare Award and Tamil Nadu State film Award under Best Actor category. In 1992, he acted in with Kamal Haasan in the critically acclaimed Thevar Magan which won him a Special Mention Award at the 40th National Film Awards.[31] His other films released during this period are Pasumpon, En Aasai Raasaave and Once More where he was cast in prominent roles. He worked in Poopparikka Varugirom which released as his last film before his death, however the last film he worked in before his death was Padayappa (1999).[37]
Political career[edit]
Until 1955, Ganesan was a staunch sympathiser of the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam. In 1961, he became a strong supporter of the Indian National Congress. Due to his popularity, he was requested to be part of the National Congress Tamil Nadu. His respect for Kamaraj made him to support Congress. He was made the rajya sabha Member of Parliament by then prime minister Indira Gandhi Indira Gandhi's death in 1984 also brought Ganesan's political career to an end.[38] After 1987, he floated his own political party (Thamizhaga Munnetra Munnani). He became the president of the Tamil Nadu faction of the Janata Dal in 1989. Unlike his highly successful acting career, his political career was rather unsuccessful.[22]
Family[edit]
Ganesan was the second son of his family. He had two brothers.[39] Ganesan married Kamala in 1952 and had four children.[39] His younger son Prabhu is a notable Tamil actor.[40] Ganesan established a film production company in the late 1950s, (now called as) Sivaji Productions, which is now being looked after by his eldest son Ramkumar.[41] He has two daughters Shanthi and Thenmozhi. His grandson and son of Prabhu Ganesan, Vikram Prabhu debuted in the critically acclaimed film Kumki in 2012.This is a mass hit film.
Death[edit]
Suffering from respiratory problems, Ganesan was admitted to the Apollo Hospital in Chennai on 21 July 2001.[10] He also had been suffering from a prolonged heart ailment for about 10 years.[42] He died at 7:45 pm (IST) on 21 July 2001 at the age of 72. A documentary, Parasakthi Muthal Padayappa Varai was made to commemorate Sivaji Ganesan's legacy. 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.[43] His eldest son, Ramkumar, performed his last rites at the Besant Nagar Crematorium, Chennai.[44]
Popularity[edit]
Ganesan Statue on Kamarajar Road in Chennai
When President Gamal Abdel Nasser of Egypt visited India, Sivaji Ganesan was the only individual, granted permission by the then-Indian Prime Minister, Jawaharlal Nehru, to host a party for Nasser. Nasser was given a number of valuable mementos depicting the civilisation and culture of South India.[45] Sivaji Ganesan was the first artist from India to visit the United States, in the cultural exchange programme of the US government, in 1962, invited by the then-US President, John F. Kennedy, where he took the rôle of India's cultural ambassador. During his visit there, he was honoured by being made the honorary mayor of Niagara Falls, New York for one day and was presented the key to the city. The only other Indian who has had this honour before Ganesan was Jawaharlal Nehru.[46] On 22 March 1976, he went over to Mauritius on an invitation from Prime Minister Ramagoolam and took part in their independence day celebrations and stayed as their government guest for four days.[45]
During his visit to the United States in June 1995, he visited Columbus, Ohio. Participating in the dinner hosted to honour Ganesan, the Mayor of the city, Greg Lashutka, honoured him by announcing him as an honorary citizen of Columbus. On the same occasion the Mayor of Mount Vernon read out and gave him a special welcome citation. The Columbus Tamil Sangam was formulated on that day and Ganesan was made the honorary President of that association.[45]
Ganesan has remained as one of the popular Tamil actors with a large fan base. At the peak of his career, Ganesan had 3000 registered fan clubs, which worked at promoting his image and films.[47]
Acclaim and criticism[edit]
Sivaji Ganesan is considered as one of the best Indian actors of all time.[10] He was also acknowledged as a consummate actor and one of the most imitated ones. He was praised for his body language and his resounding voice and dialogue delivery. Ganesan is known for his versatility and has acted as a blind man, a physically handicapped person in Bhaagapirivinai, a man with a scarred face as in Deiva Magan a murderer in Pudhiya Paravai, or a traitor as in Andha Naal which had no songs at all.[22][27]
Awards and honours[edit]
See also: Sivaji Ganesan filmography
Ganesan has won the President's Award for more than 12 times for his performance in various films.[19] He was also honored with civilian awards such as Padma Shri, Padma Bhushan and Dada Saheb Palke Award, the highest award in India for people involved in film industry.
Civilian honours – National & International[edit]
1966 – Padma Shri from the Government of India[34][48]
1984 – Padma Bhushan from the Government of India[34][48]
1995 – Chevalier awarded by the National Order of the Legion of Honour of France.[20][34] On 22 April 1995 at a ceremony held at the MAC Stadium in Chennai, Ganesan was presented with the Chevalier title and medallion by the French ambassador to India, Philip Petit.[24][49]
International awards[edit]
He is first Indian actor to get the best actor award from a foreign film festival 1960 – Best Actor in Asia – Africa Continent Award at the Afro-Asian Film Festival for Veerapandiya Kattabomman[24][34][48]
Other International honors[edit]
1960 – One Day Mayor for the city of Niagara Falls and was presented with the Golden Key of Cairo. Pandit Jawaharlal is the only person besides Mr. Ganesan getting this honor
1964 – Cultural Ambassador of India invited by John F. Kennedy under the Cultural Exchange Programme
1991 – Citizenship in the Columbia, USA by the Government of United States
National Film Awards[edit]
1992 – National Film Award – Special Jury Award for Thevar Magan[31]
1997 – Dadasaheb Phalke Award.[24][34][48]
Filmfare Awards South[edit]
1973 – Best Actor Award for Gnana Oli[50]
1974 – Best Actor Award for Gauravam[50]
1986 – Best Actor Award for Muthal Mariyathai[51]
Other honours[edit]
1986 – Honorary doctorate from the Annamalai University
1997 – Kalaimamani from the Government of Tamil Nadu[34]
1998 – NTR National Award from the Government of Andhra Pradesh[52]
Posthumous honours[edit]
Pondicherry (Puducherry) 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 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.[26][45] 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 Chennai film industry.[53] The Government 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".[20]
In an off guard moment whilst rehearsing a Theatre Venture production of "Shooting at Sparrows" to be performed at the Tom Allen Centre (now a church)
Stratford East.
circa 1984
Patente de Corso. Teatro. Alfonso Sánchez, Alberto López, Arturo Pérez-Reverte. Actores, escritor, periodista. Comedia
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Presentación a la prensa de la obra teatral Patente de Corso twitter.com/Patente_deCorso www.facebook.com/patentedecorsoteatro , basada en textos de Arturo Pérez-Reverte, e interpretada por los actores Alfonso Sánchez y Alberto López de Mundo Ficción. Adaptación de textos por la dramaturga Ana Graciani. Estreno el 9 de octubre de 2014, en el Teatro Lope de Vega de Sevilla, España..
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Vídeo: youtu.be/keB-zeAoJL8.
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Leer más en: www.periodista-es.com/patente-de-corso-del-periodista-y-e...
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