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Sivaji Ganesan, (b. October 1, 1927 in Villupuram, South Arcot, Tamilnadu, India, d. July 21, 2001, was an actor and politician.
His original name was Villupuram Chinnaiahpillai Ganesan. His popular name is Sivaji Ganesan, which was given him by Thanthai Periyar. He is also known as Nadikar thilagam, Nadippu chakravarthy (loosely translated: "Great Actor"). His mother tongue is Tamil, his education is 'Education III std (3rd grade)'.
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At the age of 9 he was so interested in stageplays that he ran away from home. So his mother joined him in a famous drama troupe.
First film & turning point: Parasakthi (1952). Subsequently he has acted in about 300 movies, including 9 Telugu movies, one Malayalam movie and two Hindi movies.) Some of his most famous films are: Poongothai/Pardesi , Pempudu Koduku, Manohara , Kalvanin Kadhali, Tenali Raman, Rangoon Radha , Makkali Petra Maharasi, Maragatham, Motor Sunderam Pillai, Pasumponn, Thiruvilayaada, Thiruvarutchelvar, Veerapaandiya Kattabomman, Kappalotiya Thamizhan, Karnan, Navarathiri and Thillana Mohanaambhal.
He was known for his acting qualities such as modesty, punctuality, aptness in applying make-up, physical fitness, and variety in acting and delivery of dialogue. In 1962 Sivaji Ganesan toured America. There, he was given the honour of being the Mayor of Niagara City for one day. After Prime Minister Nehru, Sivaji was the only Indian to get this honour. In Hollywood he met world famous actors like Marlon Brando and some leading Cinema technicians. The Indian Actors' Association President Vijaykanth said that October 1, Sivaji Ganesan's birthday, would be observed as Actors' Day.
Involvement in politics: till 1955 he was a staunch D.M.K. party sympathiser, in 1961 he become a strong supporter of the Congress Party. In 1982 Mrs. Indira Gandhi made him the Rajya sabha M.P. After 1987 he came out of Congress and began his own Political Party; became President of Tamilnadu faction of Janata Dal in 1989.
Egyptian President Naasar, Singapore former Prime Minister, Ceylon President Chandrika, Indian former Prime Ministers Nehru, Indra Gandhi, V.P. Singh, former President Dr. Radhakirishnan, former Governer -General Rajaji, former Chief Ministers Kamarajar and Annadurai, Present Chief Minister Kalaignar Karunanidhi, Ex-Chief Ministers M.G.R., RamaRao and Jayalalitha were not only his associates but his very great examples too!
Other facts: Sivaji Ganesan erected the statue of Kattabomman at Kayatharu and donated money for the erection of Sivaji Maharaj statue at Bombay
He passed away on July 21, 2001 because of a prolonged heart ailment.
IMDB webpage: http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0304262/