Remembering the Sivaji Ganesan In Us On His Birth Anniversary

Tamil cinema can be divided into two eras: before Sivaji and after Sivaji.

MG Ramachandran was popular, to put it mildly. He was the people’s hero. He was larger than life, rescuer of damsels, lover of women, vanquisher of enemies; and he never confused any of this, by trying to act.

And so, it fell on Chevalier Sivaji Ganesan to inspire an entire generation of aspiring actors. Today marks the 15th anniversary of the thespian’s demise.

You could split Tamil cinema into two eras; Before Sivaji and After Sivaji. And all of the actors After Sivaji Ganesan – male and female – who stood under the spotlight, even for the briefest of moments, have displayed some part of his mannerisms, or diction, or body language.

Here’s a scene from Devar Magan, where Kamal and Sivaji are in conversation. Note the similarities in body language.

Think Style. Think Sivaji.

Rajinikanth’s movements off screen are actually fluid, swift, and a treat to watch. On screen, everything he does in the name of style is over-the-top. I love it, but I’d never try it at home.

Sivaji Ganesan, on the other hand, brought in a wave of elegance and a cosmopolitan style that was quite new to Tamil cinema. Here he is, just smoking and enjoying a cabaret. Even today, smokers seek to smoke like him.

The song begins about a minute into the video.

Rajini, Kamal, and More

Both Rajinikanth and Kamal Hassan have shared screen space with Sivaji Ganesan, notably in Padayappa (Rajini) and Devar Magan (Kamal Hassan). But these movies came much after the actor’s career had waned. There were no roles in the 80s and 90s meaty enough for an actor like him.

He was already a legend. Like with director K Balachander, he would be felicitated ad nauseum across the state and abroad. The top stars and performers of the day would sing odes to him, and garland him with praise and the words that every star wants to hear; I grew up watching you.

I wanted to be you. I’ve imitated you so many times.

For such an artist to go without the make-up and the arc-lights for so many years, is a gross injustice. Tamil cinema had written him off, because it had regressed.

Here’s a song by SPB, who I believe was equally influenced by Sivaji, in the way he emoted in his songs.

Sivaji Was Everyman

An on-screen hero is larger than life, replete with many accomplishments, innate charm and many bright, shining qualities. And yet, the most important thing he needs to validate his existence in the plot, is a villain.

There are no villains in the lives of the common man. And there was a time in Indian cinema, with movies without villains. This was where Sivaji Ganesan shone. He could become a labourer, able to speak only in coarse Tamil; or a mythological poet, who makes overlong alliterative monologues sound cool. He was the quintessential brother to every sister; always protective and ready to give up anything to keep her happy. He could play a humble devotee and a resplendent God, both in the same movie.

NT Ramarao (Telugu cinema actor, former CM, Andhra Pradesh) would visit an 80-year-old woman’s dreams as Lord Krishna. And Sivaji Ganesan is Lord Shiva incarnate to any Tamilian who tries to imagine a scene from the great Saivite epics.

Everyman is Sivaji

Rajinikanth is on everyone’s minds and autos and cars and planes and ringtones today.

But Sivaji Ganesan’s influence goes much, much deeper. You will find it in the way a Tamil-speaking CEO holds a cigarette, as he tries to impress a colleague. You will see him in the over-excited rant of a middle-class householder, as he vents about apathetic sons and an office that laid him off.

You will see him in the way a Tamil poet renders his verses, with an arm raised shoulder-high, and fingers playing muted keys in the air.

Sivaji Ganesan influenced all, across the Tamil diaspora, in the way they spoke; not just verbally, but through their bodies.

My father aped Sivaji Ganesan. I share many of his mannerisms. Here’s to the Sivaji Ganesan in me.

(This article was originally published on 21 July 2016. It is being reposted from The Quint’s archives on the birth anniversary of legendary Tamil movie star Sivaji Ganesan.)