Palaniswamy (born 27 October 1941), better known by his stage name Sivakumar, is an Indian visual artist and actor who has appeared in Tamil cinema and television. He made his acting debut in Kaakum Karangal (1965) and has worked in 195 movies, predominantly only in Tamil cinema. He has won three Filmfare Awards South and two Tamil Nadu State Film Awards.

Career

He was a student of the Government College of Art & Craft in Chennai from 1959 to 1965. Palaniswamy made his acting debut in Kaakum Karangal (1965) with the actor S. S. Rajendran. Palaniswamy was renamed as Sivakumar when he entered the industry. Sivakumar’s notable movies include Saraswathi Sabatham (1966), Kandhan Karunai (1967), Thirumal Perumai (1968), Uyarndha Manithan (1968), Annakili (1976), Rosappu Ravikkaikari (1979) and the very famous K. Balachander’s Sindhu Bhairavi (1985). He won the Filmfare Award for Best Actor – Tamil for the movies Rosappu Ravikkaikari (1979), and Vandichakkaram (1980) and a Lifetime Achievement Award – South (2007). He also was the recipient of the Tamil Nadu State Film Award for Best Actor for Avan Aval Adhu (1980) and Agni Sakshi (1982). He proved to be a better bet to play the hero in melodramas Bhadrakali (1976), Vandichakkaram (1980), Indru Nee Naalai Naan (1983), Paasa Paravaigal (1988) or devotional tales Vellikizhamai Viratham (1974), Thaai Mookaambikai (1982) and romantic sagas Chittu Kuruvi (1978), Rosappu Ravikkaikari (1979) and Unnai Naan Santhithen 1984). He also played hero in many films which were adapted from novels like Manithanin Marupakkam (1986). After a successful career as a lead actor, Sivakumar proved his mettle as a character artist in films like Kadhalukku Mariyadhai (1997), Sethu (1999) and Poovellam Un Vaasam (2001). During his career, Sivakumar has co-starred with many leading Tamil actors, including M. G. Ramachandran, Sivaji Ganesan, Gemini Ganesan, S. S. Rajendran, R. Muthuraman, A. V. M. Rajan, Jaishankar, Ravichandran, Kamal Haasan, Rajinikanth, Vijayakanth, Sathyaraj, Sarath Kumar, Prabhu, Karthik, Mohan, Arjun Sarja, Ajith Kumar, Vijay, Vikram and Suriya. He acted in famous TV serials like Chithi and Annamalai alongside Radhika. In 2012, Sivakumar was honoured with the Jaya TV Lifetime Achievement Award at the Anna Centenary Library for his contributions to the Tamil film industry for over 40 years. Sivakumar has also 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 on 27 October 1941 in Coimbatore. He is married to Lakshmi Kumari. The couple have three children: two sons Suriya and Karthi, who are both actors; and a daughter Brindha, who is a playback singer. Sivakumar's elder daughter-in-law Jyothika is a Kollywood actress. He is a devout Hindu and a devotee of Murugan. He is also ambidextrous.

Filmography

Television

Awards

Sivakumar is a three-time recipient of Filmfare Awards South and a two-time winner of Tamil Nadu State Film Awards. Filmfare Awards South Tamil Nadu State Film Awards Anna Centenary Library Norway Tamil Film Festival Awards Vijay Awards