Sivakumar

Palaniswamy, better known by his stage name Sivakumar (born 27 October 1941 ) is an Indian film actor and visual artist who has portrayed a wide range of leading and supporting roles onscreen in Tamil cinema and television. He made his acting debut in A. C. Trilogchander's Kakkum Karangal (1965). He has acted in over 190 movies in Tamil. He is also ambidextrous.

His sons Suriya and Karthi are actors as well as his elder daughter in-law Jyothika. And his daughter Brindha Sivakumar being a Playback Singer.

Career
Sivakumar came into the industry in 1965 as a supporting actor. In the late 1960s as a lead hero, he starred in a few notable Tamil movies such as Kandan Karunai, Thunivae Thozhan and Uyarndha Manidhan. Between 1965 and 1974 he was predominantly playing supporting roles, in films with M.G. Ramachandran (2 films), Gemini Ganesan (7 films), Shivaji Ganesan (14 films) and R. Muthuraman (11 films) in the main lead roles. He has acted in supporting roles alongside Jayalalithaa in 7 films, which include Yarukkum Vetkam Illai, Thirumangalyam, Kavalkaran, Shakti Leelai, Ganga Gowri, Motor Sundram Pillai and Annai Velankanni and was romantically paired opposite her in Kandan Karunai and Shri Krishna Leelai. He started getting offers as the solo lead hero from 1974. Some of his successful films with him in lead role in the 1970s include Gumasthavin Magal, Sollathaan Ninaikkiren, Arangetram, Vellikizhamai Viratham, Panathukkaga, Melnaattu Marumagal, Pattikkaattu Raja, Sindhudhe Vaanam, Thangathile Vairam, Bhadrakali, Aattukara Alamelu, Bhuvana Oru Kelvi Kuri, Kadavul Amaitha Medai and Enippadigal. The director duo of Devaraj and Mohan directed Sivakumar in lead role in 9 films - Ponnukku Thanga Manasu, Annakili, Uravadum Nenjam, Kavikkuyil, Sainthadamma Sainthadu, Chittu Kuruvi, Rosaappo Ravikkai Kaari, Poonthalir and Isai Paadum Thendral. In fact, Kamal Haasan and Rajinikanth have played supporting roles in films with Sivakumar in the lead role between 1972 and 1982.

From 1973 to the early 1990s, Sivakumar was a leading actor in Kollywood, acting in successful movies such as Annakili, Rosaappo Ravikkai Kaari, Vandichakkaram and Sindhu Bhairavi. He has acted in nearly 200 films till date. He has co-starred with many leading Tamil actors of three generations, including Sivaji Ganesan, M. G. Ramachandran, Gemini Ganesan, S.S. Rajendran, R. Muthuraman, A.V.M. Rajan, Jaishankar, Ravichandran, Kamal Haasan, Rajinikanth, Vijayakanth, Sathyaraj, Sarath Kumar, Prabhu Ganesan, Karthik, Mohan, Arjun Sarja, Ajith Kumar, Vijay, Vikram and Suriya. He is a two-time winner of Filmfare Awards for his performances in Rosaappo Ravikkai Kaari and Vandichakkaram. He is a two time recipient of Tamil Nadu State Film Awards for best actor in the films Avan Aval Adhu and Agni Sakshi. His roles in Marupakkam and Sindhu Bhairavi showed his versatility as an actor, with the former winning the Golden Lotus Award for Best Feature Film. In the late 1990s, he ventured into television serials and is well known for his role as Raadhika's husband in the famous TV serial Chithi.

In recent times, he has ventured into public speaking, giving his opinion on various subjects, including Hindu theology. He has been praised for the fluency and style of his speeches.

Personal life
Sivakumar was born in Coimbatore. He is married to Lakshmi Kumari and the couple has three children; two sons who are actors, Suriya and Karthi and a daughter Brindha who is a playback singer. He is a devout Hindu and a devotee of Lord Sri Murugan. Sivakumar's elder daughter-in-law Jyothika is a Kollywood actress.

Television

 * Kaiyalavu Manasu (1990)
 * Revathi
 * Pusphanjali
 * Veettukku Veedu Vasapadi
 * Bandham (1994)
 * Ethanai Manidhargal (1997)
 * Aachi International (1997-1998)
 * Dhik Dhik Dhik (1999)
 * Kaveri (1999-2001)
 * Chithi (1999-2001)
 * Annamalai (2002-2005)
 * Lakshmi (2006-2008)

Awards
Sivakumar is a three-time recipient of Filmfare Awards and a two-time winner of Tamil Nadu State Film Awards.

Filmfare Awards
 * 1979 – Best Actor Award for Rosaappo Ravikkai Kaari
 * 1980 – Best Actor Award for Vandichakkaram
 * 2007 – Filmfare Lifetime Achievement Award

Tamil Nadu State Film Awards
 * 1979 – Best Actor Award for Aval Adhu Avan adhu
 * 1982 – Best Actor Award for Agni Sakshi

Norway Tamil Film Festival Awards
 * 2015 - Norway Tamil Film Festival Kalaichigaram Award

Vijay Awards
 * 2018 - Vijay Award for Contribution to Tamil Cinema