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 South India, also known as Southern India or Peninsular India, is the southern part of the Deccan Peninsula in India encompassing the states of Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, Kerala, Tamil Nadu and Telangana as well as the union territories of ...

films, including

Tamil Tamil may refer to: People, culture and language * Tamils, an ethno-linguistic group native to India, Sri Lanka, and some other parts of Asia **Sri Lankan Tamils, Tamil people native to Sri Lanka ** Myanmar or Burmese Tamils, Tamil people of Ind ...

and

Telugu film Telugu cinema, also known as Tollywood, is the segment of Indian cinema dedicated to the production of motion pictures in the Telugu language, widely spoken in the states of Andhra Pradesh and Telangana. Based in Film Nagar, Hyderabad, Telug ...

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 Kothawal Chavadi is a neighbourhood in Chennai, India. It is situated in the northern part of the city adjoining George Town, Chennai. Until 1996, Kothawal Chavadi housed Asia's largest fruit and vegetable market. The market has since been move ...

. 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 Sowcarpet is a neighborhood in the northern part of Chennai, India. Sowcarpet is one of the oldest neighborhoods of the city with narrow streets and vintage buildings. It is a bustling commercial area of the city, and a range of wholesale mark ...

. 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 Carnatic music (known as or in the Dravidian languages) is a system of music commonly associated with South India, including the modern Indian states of Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, Kerala, Tamil Nadu, Telangana and southern Odisha. It is o ...

Astrology Astrology is a range of Divination, divinatory practices, recognized as pseudoscientific since the 18th century, that propose that information about human affairs and terrestrial events may be discerned by studying the apparent positions ...

, 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 Mylapore (also spelt Mayilapur), or Thirumayilai, is a neighbourhood in the central part of the city of Chennai, India. It is one of the oldest residential parts of the city. The locality is claimed to be the birthplace of the celebrated Tamil ...

. 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 The Tamil Nadu State Film Award for Best Choreographer is given by the state government as part of its annual Tamil Nadu State Film Awards for Tamil (Kollywood) films. Winners Here is a list of the award winners and the films for which they won. ...

for ''

Poove Unakkaga Poove Unakkaga () may refer to: * ''Poove Unakkaga'' (film), a 1996 Indian Tamil-language romantic comedy film starring Vijay * ''Poove Unakkaga'' (TV series), a 2020 Indian Tamil-language soap opera {{dab ...

'' (1996), ''

Vishwa Thulasi ''Vishwa Thulasi'' is a 2004 Tamil-language drama film directed by Sumathy Ram, starring Mammooty and Nandita Das. This film's score and soundtrack were composed by Ilayaraaja and M. S. Viswanathan. The film was notable for having a female direct ...

'' (2003), ''

Varalaru ''Varalaru: History Of Godfather'', or simply known as ''Varalaru'' (), is a 2006 Indian Tamil-language action-drama film written and directed by K. S. Ravikumar, and produced by S. S. Chakravarthy under the banner NIC Arts. The film star ...

'' (2006) and ''

Uliyin Osai ''Uliyin Osai'' () is a 2008 Indian Tamil-language historical romance film written by Ilavenil in his directorial debut. It is based on M. Karunanidhi's short ''Sarapallam Chamundi'', published in the magazine '' Murasoli''. The film stars Vine ...

'' (2008). Sivasankar won the

National Film Award for Best Choreography The National Film Award for Best Choreography is one of the National Film Awards presented annually by the National Film Development Corporation of India. It is one of several awards presented for feature films and awarded with Rajat Kamal (Sil ...

for his work in

S. S. Rajamouli Koduri Srisaila Sri Rajamouli ( ; born 10 October 1973) is an Indian filmmaker who works in Telugu cinema. Known for his epic, action and fantasy genre films, he is the highest grossing Indian director of all time, as well as the highest-paid d ...

's historical drama ''

Magadheera ''Magadheera'' () is a 2009 Indian Telugu-language epic romantic fantasy action drama film co-written & directed by S. S. Rajamouli, based on a story by V. Vijayendra Prasad and with dialogues by M. Rathnam. Produced by Allu Aravind under ...

'' (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 ''Thiruda Thirudi'' () is a 2003 Indian Tamil-language romantic comedy film written and directed by debutant Subramaniam Siva. The film stars Dhanush and Chaya Singh (in her Tamil film debut), with Karunas, Manikka Vinayagam, and Krishna in supp ...

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 Ajith Kumar Subramaniam (born 1 May 1971) is an Indian actor who works predominantly in Tamil cinema. To date, he has starred in over 63 films, and won four Vijay Awards, three Cinema Express Awards, three Filmfare Awards South and three Ta ...

's dance instructor in

K. S. Ravikumar K. S. Ravikumar (born 30 May 1958) is an Indian film director, film producer, screenwriter and actor who primarily works in Tamil cinema and few Telugu films. He is one of the most commercially successful directors of Indian cinema. He has won m ...

's ''

'' (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 Bala may refer to: Films * ''Bala'' (1976 film), an English-language dance documentary * ''Bala'' (2002 film), a Tamil-language action film * ''Bala'' (2019 film), a Hindi-language black comedy Life forms *Bala shark (''Balantiocheilos melano ...

's period drama '' Paradesi'' (2013), who works to convert the religion of naive tea workers.

Death

Sivasankar died from

COVID-19 Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is a contagious disease caused by the coronavirus SARS-CoV-2. In January 2020, the disease spread worldwide, resulting in the COVID-19 pandemic. The symptoms of COVID‑19 can vary but often include fever ...

at a private hospital in

Hyderabad Hyderabad is the capital and largest city of the Indian state of Telangana. It occupies on the Deccan Plateau along the banks of the Musi River (India), Musi River, in the northern part of Southern India. With an average altitude of , much ...

on 28 November 2021, at the age of 72.

Notable filmography

As choreographer

Tamil films

*''

Paattum Bharathamum ''Paattum Bharathamum'' () is a 1975 Indian Tamil-language musical dance film, directed and produced by P. Madhavan. The film stars Sivaji Ganesan, Jayalalithaa, Sripriya and Vijayakumar. It was released on 6 December 1975. Plot Shanmugasu ...

'' (1975) - debut as Assistant *'' Kavikkuyil'' (1977) *''Kuruvikoodu'' (1980) - debut as Dance Master *'' Saattai Illatha Pambaram'' (1983) *''

Mann Vasanai ''Mann Vasanai'' () is a 1983 Indian Tamil-language romantic drama film directed by Bharathiraja. The film stars Pandiyan and Revathi, with Vinu Chakravarthy, Gandhimathi, and Y. Vijaya in supporting roles. It was released on 16 September ...

'' (1983) *'' Manaivi Oru Manickam'' (1990) *''

Marupadiyum ''Marupadiyum'' () is a 1993 Indian Tamil-language drama film written, filmed and directed by Balu Mahendra. The film stars Revathi, Nizhalgal Ravi, Arvind Swamy and Rohini. A remake of the 1982 Hindi film '' Arth'', it focuses on Thulasi, a w ...

'' (1993) *''

En Aasai Machan ''En Aasai Machan'' () is a 1994 Indian Tamil-language drama film written and directed by R. Sundarrajan. The film stars Vijayakanth, Murali, Revathi and Ranjitha. It was released on 26 August 1994. Plot Subramani, a college leader, falls i ...

'' (1994) *''

'' (1996) *'' Suryavamsam'' (1997) *''

Ninaithen Vandhai ''Ninaithen Vandhai'' () is a 1998 Indian Tamil-language romantic musical comedy film directed by K. Selva Bharathy and produced by Allu Aravind. It is the Tamil remake of the 1996 Telugu film ''Pelli Sandadi''. The film stars Vijay, Rambha a ...

'' (1998) *''

Suyamvaram ''Suyamvaram'' () is a 1999 Indian Tamil-language comedy drama film produced and co-written by Giridharilal Nagpal. The film is notable for its unique production process, in which 14 directors, 19 cinematographers, and over 30 prominent actors ...

'' (1999) *''

Thullatha Manamum Thullum ''Thullatha Manamum Thullum'' () is a 1999 Indian Tamil-language musical romantic drama film written and directed by debutant S. Ezhil. It stars Vijay and Simran, while Manivannan, Dhamu and Vaiyapuri among others play supporting roles. The f ...

'' (1999) *''

Vetri Kodi Kattu ''Vetri Kodi Kattu'' () is a 2000 Indian Tamil-language drama film written and directed by Cheran. The film stars Murali, Parthiban, Meena, and Malavika, while Vadivelu, Manorama, Anandaraj, Vijayakumar, and Charle play supporting roles. ...

'' (2000) *''

'' (2003) *''

'' (2004) *''

Thirupaachi ''Thirupaachi'' is a 2005 Indian Tamil-language masala film written and directed by Perarasu (in his directorial debut) and produced by R. B. Choudary under Super Good Films. The film stars Vijay, alongside Trisha, Mallika, J. Livingston, ...

'' (2005) *''

'' (2006) *''

'' (2008) *'' Baahubali: The Beginning ''(2015) * '' Maaligai'' (2021)

Telugu films

*'' Khaidi'' (1983) *'' Chakravyuham'' (1992) *''

Ammoru Ammoru () is a 1995 Indian Telugu-language Hindu mythological fantasy film directed by Kodi Ramakrishna. The film is produced by Shyam Prasad Reddy. The film stars Ramya Krishna as Goddess Ammoru and Soundarya as her devotee Bhavani, with Sure ...

'' (1995) *''

Allari Pidugu ''Allari Pidugu'' () is a 2005 Indian Telugu-language action film produced by M. R. V. Prasad on P. B. R. Art Productions banner, directed by Jayanth C. Paranjee. The film stars Nandamuri Balakrishna in dual role, Katrina Kaif, and Charmy Kaur ...

'' (2005) *''

'' (2009) *'' Arundhati'' (2009) *''

Mahatma Mahātmā (English pronunciation: , , ) is an honorific used in India. The term is commonly used for Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi, who is often referred to simply as "Mahatma Gandhi". Albeit less frequently, this epithet has also been used wit ...

'' (2009) *'' Baahubali: The Beginning''(2015)

As actor

Tamil films

Telugu films

Other language films

*'' Ajantha'' (2009/2012) (Kannada/Malayalam) * '' Godfather'' (2012)

Television

Awards and honours

National Film Awards

2009 2009 was designated as the International Year of Astronomy by the United Nations to coincide with the 400th anniversary of Galileo Galilei's first known astronomical studies with a telescope and the publication of Astronomia Nova by Joha ...

: "Dheera Dheera Dheera" in ''

'' (for

Best Choreography The MTV Video Music Award for Best Choreography is a craft award given to the artist, the artist's manager, and choreographer of the music video. From 1984 to 2007, the full name of the award was Best Choreography in a Video. The biggest winner ...

)

Tamil Nadu State Film Award for Best Choreographer

1996 1996 was designated as: * International Year for the Eradication of Poverty Events January * January 8 – A Zairean cargo plane crashes into a crowded market in the center of the capital city of the Democratic Republic of the Congo ...

: ''

'' *

2004 2004 was designated as an International Year of Rice by the United Nations, and the International Year to Commemorate the Struggle Against Slavery and Its Abolition (by UNESCO). Events January * January 3 – Flash Airlines Flight 60 ...

: ''

'' *

2006 2006 was designated as the International Year of Deserts and Desertification. Events January * January 1– 4 – Russia temporarily cuts shipment of natural gas to Ukraine during a price dispute. * January 12 – A stampede during t ...

: '' Varalaaru'' *

2008 2008 was designated as: *International Year of Languages *International Year of Planet Earth *International Year of the Potato *International Year of Sanitation The Great Recession, a worldwide recession which began in 2007, continued throu ...

: ''

References

External links

* {{DEFAULTSORT:Sivasankar, K. 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