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K. Shivashankar (7 December 1948 – 28 November 2021) was an Indian dance choreographer who worked in more than 10 languages but majorly with South Indian films, including Tamil films & Telugu films.

Early life

Shivashankar was born in Govindappa Naicken Street, Parrys, Chennai, on 7 December 1948, to Kalyana Sundaram and Komala Amal. His father was wholesale fruit vendor in Kothawal Chavadi. His backbone was fractured at a very young age in an accident for which and recovered around 8 years of age under the extensive care of his aunts. He was initially home schooled and later studied in Hindu Theological Higher Secondary School, Sowcarpet. He attributed his feminine mannerism to his growing up without much contact with the outside world and where women in family were taking care of him mostly. His father was highly skilled with immense knowledge in Carnatic music & Astrology, but very strict with his children. While his father attended carnatic music festival, Sivasankar was asked to go for drama & dance festivals to represent him. This inspired him to learn dance. He learnt basics in dance from Natraj & Sakunthala, Mylapore. Later, he joined as assistant to dance master Saleem in 1974.

Career

Having worked on over 800 feature films, Sivasankar has won the Tamil Nadu State Film Award for Best Choreographer for Poove Unakkaga (1996), Vishwa Thulasi (2003), Varalaru (2006) and Uliyin Osai (2008). Sivasankar won the National Film Award for Best Choreography for his work in S. S. Rajamouli's historical drama Magadheera (2008), with the jury noting he was rewarded "for breath taking energy and innovation" in the song "Dheera Dheera Dheera". His experience at the official ceremony was reported in the media after he was critical of the delay in allowing him into the venue. In 2003, his super-fast choreography of super hit song Manmadha Raasa for Thiruda Thirudi film was widely talked about. In 2003, he was awarded an honorary doctorate from New International Christian University, Bangalore for his services to dance.

Sivasankar has also appeared in acting roles, notably starring as Ajith Kumar's dance instructor in K. S. Ravikumar's Varalaru (2006). The choreographer was asked to design the dance sequences but also the action sequences and the overall body language of Ajith, to depict him in a feminine way. He later portrayed the role of a Christian missionary in Bala's period drama Paradesi (2013), who works to convert the religion of naive tea workers.

Death

Sivasankar died from COVID-19 at a private hospital in Hyderabad on 28 November 2021, at the age of 72.

Notable filmography

As choreographer

• Paattum Bharathamum (1975) - debut as Assistant
• Kavikkuyil (1977)
• Kuruvikoodu (1980) - debut as Dance Master
• Saattai Illatha Pambaram (1983)
• Mann Vasanai (1983)
• Khaidi (1983)
• Manaivi Oru Manickam (1990)
• Chakravyuham (1992)
• Marupadiyum (1993)
• En Aasai Machan (1994)
• Ammoru (1995)
• Poove Unakkaga (1996)
• Suryavamsam (1997)
• Ninaithen Vandhai (1998)
• Suyamvaram (1999)
• Thulladha Manamum Thullum (1999)
• Vetri Kodi Kattu (2000)
• Thiruda Thirudi (2003)
• Vishwa Thulasi (2004)
• Thirupaachi (2005)
• Allari Pidugu (2005)
• Varalaru (2006)
• Uliyin Osai (2008)
• Magadheera (2009)
• Arundhati (2009)
• Mahatma (2009)
• Baahubali: The Beginning (2015)
• Maaligai (2021)

As actor

Television

Awards and honours

National Film Awards

• 2009: "Dheera Dheera Dheera" in Magadheera (for Best Choreography)

Tamil Nadu State Film Award for Best Choreographer

• 1996: Poove Unakkaga
• 2004: Vishwa Thulasi
• 2006: Varalaaru
• 2008: Uliyin Osai

References

1. "Kalaimamani Award: Aishwarya Rajesh, Sivakarthikeyan, Gautham Menon among awardees". 19 February 2021.
2. "Exclusive - "ஒன்றரை வயசுல முதுகுத்தண்டு உடைஞ்சிருச்சு!" - Dance Master Sivasankar". Hindu Tamil Thisai. Chennai, India. 30 January 2020. Archived from the original on 28 November 2021. Retrieved 7 February 2020 – via Youtube.
3. "Shiva Shankar bags National Award for Magadheera". 15 September 2010. Archived from the original on 6 January 2018. Retrieved 5 January 2018.
4. "Archived copy" (PDF). Archived (PDF) from the original on 3 March 2016. Retrieved 5 January 2018.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
5. "Shiva Shankar Master bitter experience". Archived from the original on 5 January 2018. Retrieved 5 January 2018.
6. "Doctorate for Dance master Shiva Shankar Photos | KOLLY TALK". Archived from the original on 5 January 2018. Retrieved 5 January 2018.
7. "KSR's amazing Ajith act- Siva Shankar master recollects, Ajith, Siva Shankar". Archived from the original on 28 July 2018. Retrieved 5 January 2018.
8. "Power Star approached for Paradesi?". The Times of India. Archived from the original on 20 May 2018. Retrieved 5 January 2018.
9. "Choreographer Sivashankar passes away due to COVID 19". The Times of India. Retrieved 28 November 2021.
10. "कोरोना से जंग के बाद कोरियोग्राफर Shiva Shankar का निधन, सोनू सूद ने लिखा इमोशनल पोस्ट". Aaj Tak (in Hindi). 29 November 2021. Retrieved 29 November 2021.
11. "Baahubali(Bahubali) Tamil Movie Review & Rating: Visual Brilliance Bails It Out of Trouble!". 10 July 2015. Archived from the original on 28 November 2021. Retrieved 12 February 2020.
12. "2 National Awards for 'Magadheera' - Telugu News". 15 September 2010. Archived from the original on 13 April 2021. Retrieved 12 February 2020.

External links

• Sivasankar at IMDb

• 1948 births
• 2021 deaths
• Bharatanatyam exponents
• Tamil male actors
• Indian choreographers
• Indian film choreographers
• Male actors in Tamil cinema
• 20th-century Indian dancers
• Kathakali exponents
• Best Choreography National Film Award winners
• Male actors in Telugu television
• Male actors from Chennai
• Deaths from the COVID-19 pandemic in India