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Sivasankar was an Indian choreographer and actor. On 28 November 2021, he died of COVID-19 complications in Hyderabad, Telangana, India.
Wiki/Biography
Sivasankar was born on Tuesday, 7 December 1948 (age 72 years; at the time of death) in Govindappa Naicken Street, Parrys, Chennai. His zodiac sign is Sagittarius. He was homeschooled for a few years and later continued his schooling at Hindu Theological Higher Secondary School, Sowcarpet, Chennai, Tamil Nadu. Sivasankar did his training in dance under the dance gurus Natraj & Sakunthala in Mylapore.
Physical Appearance
Height (approx.): 5′ 5″
Hair Colour: Salt & Pepper (dyed)
Eye Colour: Brown
Family
Parents & Siblings
His father, Kalyana Sundaram, was a wholesale fruit vendor in Kothawal Chavadi, Chennai. His mother’s name is Komala Amal.
Wife & Children
He was married to Suganya, and the couple has two sons named Vijay Sivasankar and Ajay Sivasankar.
K. Sivasankar’ wife and son, Vijay
Career
As a Choreographer
He started working as an assistant dance master with the dance master Saleem in 1974. He debuted as an assistant dancer in the Tamil film ‘Paattum Bharathamum’ in 1975. He worked as a dance master for the first time in the Tamil film ‘Kuruvikoodu’ (1980). He worked as a choreographer in many South Indian films such as ‘Kavikkuyil’ (1977), ‘Khaidi’ (1983), ‘Driver Ramudu’ (2019), ‘Magadheera’ (2009), and ‘Baahubali: The Beginning’ (2013).
As an Actor
Apart from working as a choreographer, he worked as an actor in various South Indian films. In 2003, he made his acting debut in the Tamil film ‘Alai’ in which he played the role of a dance master. Some of his other films as an actor are ‘Varalaru’ (2006), ‘Paradesi’ (2013), ‘N.T.R: Kathanayakudu’ (2019), ‘Pachai Vilakku’ (2020), and ‘Engada Iruthinga Ivvalavu Naala’ (2021). In 2020, he made his TV debut with the Telugu TV serial ‘Naga Bhairavi’ in which he played the role of Shivudu. He appeared in a few TV serials such as ‘Jothi’ (2021; Tamil) and ‘No.1 Kodalu’ (2021; Telugu).
Controversy
Sivasankar and his family were accused of dowry, domestic violence, and mental harassment by his daughter-in-law Jyothi in 2016. He then held a press conference in which he clarified the whole matter and requested the then Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu Jayalalithaa provide security to his family.
Awards & Honours
- Tamil Nadu State Film Award for Best Choreographer for Poove Unakkaga (1996)
- Tamil Nadu State Film Award for Best Choreographer for Vishwa Thulasi (2003)
- Honorary Doctorate from New International Christian University, Bangalore for his services to dance (2003)
- Tamil Nadu State Film Award for Best Choreographer for Varalaru (2006)
- Tamil Nadu State Film Award for Best Choreographer for Uliyin Osai (2008)
- National Film Award for Best Choreography, for his work in S. S. Rajamouli’s historical drama Magadheera (2008)
Death
In 2021, he was detected with COVID-19 and was admitted to AIG Hospital in Hyderabad, Telangana, India. Sivasankar could not survive even after months of treatment and passed away on 28 November 2021. On his demise, many South Indian celebrities shared their grief. The Indian actor Sonu Sood tweeted,
Heartbroken to hear about the demise of Shiv Shankar masterji. Tried our best to save him but God had different plans. Will always miss you masterji. May almighty give strength to the family to bear this loss. Cinema will always miss u, sir.”
Facts/Trivia
- When he was a kid, he met with a major accident and after intense care by his aunts, he got recovered at the age of 8.
- K. Sivasankar attended various dance and drama festivals in childhood, and he developed an interest in dancing from there.
- He was admitted to a hospital in 2021, after he was detected with the COVID-19, his family requested the South Indian film fraternity to help them financially. Some of the Indian actors such as Dhanush, Chiranjeevi, and Sonu Sood raised funds for his treatment.