New Delhi: Google today celebrated the 93rd birthday of one of India’s first method actors and one of the most influential actors the country has ever produced, Sivaji Ganesan.
In 1960, Sivaji Ganesan made history by becoming the first Indian artist to win the Best Actor award at an international film festival for his historical film “Veerpandiya Kattabomman”.
On this day in 1928, Sivaji Ganesan was born as Ganeshmurthy in Villupuram, a town in the southeastern state of Tamil Nadu, India. At the young age of 7, she left home and joined a theater group where she began playing child and female roles and then went on to play lead roles. In December 1945, Ganesan made a name for himself – literally – with his dramatic portrayal of the 17th-century Indian king Shivaji. This majestic stage name stuck and Ganesan took the crown as “Shivaji” as he conquered the acting world.
He made his on-screen debut in the 1952 film “Parashakti”, the first of more than 300 of his films spanning a cinematic career of nearly five decades. Known for his expressive voice and varied performances in Tamil-language cinema, Ganesan quickly gained international fame. His best-known blockbusters include the trendsetting 1961 film “Pasmalar”, an emotional, family tale, considered one of Tamil cinema’s most important achievements, and the 1964 film “Navarathy”, Ganesan’s 100th film in which he played a role. Record-breaking, played nine different roles. .
In 1960, Ganesan made history as the first Indian artist to win the Best Actor award at an international film festival for his historical film “Veerpandiya Kattabomman”, which is his biggest hit with people still remembering the film’s dialogues. One of the blockbuster movies. Other prestigious awards came near the end of his career.
In 1995, France awarded him its highest honour, the Chevalier of the National Order of the Legion of Honour. In 1997, the Government of India honored him with the Dadasaheb Phalke Award, which is India’s highest award in the field of cinema. Today, his legacy lives on through performances for international audiences by many contemporary Indian acting greats who cite Ganesan as a major inspiration.