# K. Sivasankar

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 films, including Tamil films & Telugu films.

## 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. 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. 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 & Astrology, 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. 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 for Poove Unakkaga (1996), Vishwa Thulasi (2003), Varalaru (2006) and Uliyin Osai (2008). Sivasankar won the National Film Award for Best Choreography for his work in S. S. Rajamouli's historical drama Magadheera (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 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's dance instructor in K. S. Ravikumar's Varalaru (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's period drama Paradesi (2013), who works to convert the religion of naive tea workers.

## Death

Sivasankar died from COVID-19 at a private hospital in Hyderabad on 28 November 2021, at the age of 72.

## Notable filmography
### As choreographer

* Paattum Bharathamum (1975) - debut as Assistant
* Kavikkuyil (1977)
* Kuruvikoodu (1980) - debut as Dance Master
* Saattai Illatha Pambaram (1983)
* Mann Vasanai (1983)
* Khaidi (1983)
* Manaivi Oru Manickam (1990)
* Chakravyuham (1992)
* Marupadiyum (1993)
* En Aasai Machan (1994)
* Ammoru (1995)
* Poove Unakkaga (1996)
* Suryavamsam (1997)
* Ninaithen Vandhai (1998)
* Suyamvaram (1999)
* Thulladha Manamum Thullum (1999)
* Vetri Kodi Kattu (2000)
* Thiruda Thirudi (2003)
* Vishwa Thulasi (2004)
* Thirupaachi (2005)
* Allari Pidugu (2005)
* Varalaru (2006)
* Uliyin Osai (2008)
* Magadheera (2009)
* Arundhati (2009)
* Mahatma (2009)
* Baahubali: The Beginning (2015)
* Maaligai (2021)

### As actor

| Year | Film | Role | Notes |
| 2000 | James Pandu | | |
| 2003 | Alai | Dance master | |
| 2003 | Popcorn | | |
| 2004 | Gomathi Nayagam | Himself | |
| 2006 | Varalaru | Shivashankar's master | |
| 2006 | Manasu Palike Mouna Raagam | Priest | Telugu film |
| 2007 | Onbadhu Roobai Nottu | Dhandapani | |
| 2008 | Nadigai | Himself | uncredited |
| 2009 | Ajantha | | Multilingual film |
| 2011 | Gurusamy | Himself | |
| 2012 | Godfather | Shivasankar's master | Kannada film |
| 2012 | Sudigadu | Himself | |
| 2013 | Kanna Laddu Thinna Aasaiya | Sowmiya's father | |
| 2013 | Paradesi | Parisutham | |
| 2013 | Thillu Mullu | Dance master | |
| 2013 | Potugadu | Vaidehi's dance master | Telugu film |
| 2014 | Enna Satham Indha Neram | | |
| 2014 | Aranmanai | | |
| 2015 | Adhibar | Tiger Kothandaraman | |
| 2015 | Indru Netru Naalai | | |
| 2016 | Arthanari | Ramasamy | |
| 2017 | Enkitta Mothathe | | |
| 2017 | Shivalinga | Annalakshmi's Assistant | |
| 2017 | Nene Raju Nene Mantri | | Telugu film |
| 2018 | Thaanaa Serndha Koottam | Ondiveeran | |
| 2018 | Ghajinikanth | | |
| 2018 | Nadodi Kanavu | | |
| 2018 | Sarkar | Election commissioner | |
| 2019 | Akshara | | Telugu film |
| 2019 | N.T.R: Kathanayakudu | Vempati Chinna Satyam | Telugu film |
| 2019 | Ninu Veedani Needanu Nene | Priest | Telugu film |
| 2019 | Dhilluku Dhuddu 2 | Viji's neighbour | |
| 2019 | Raju Gari Gadhi 3 | Colony president | Telugu film |
| 2020 | Pachai Vilakku | | |
| 2020 | Biskoth | Old man | |
| 2021 | Engada Iruthinga Ivvalavu Naala | Master | |
| 2021 | Climax | Dance Master | Telugu film |
| 2022 | Hero | Dance master | Telugu film Posthumous release |
| 2022 | Idiot | Vijayasimha Reddy | Posthumous release |
| 2023 | Bagheera | | Posthumous release |
| 2023 | Ellaam Mela Irukuravan Paathuppan | | Posthumous release |
| 2023 | Nene Naa | | Telugu film Posthumous release |

### Television

| Year | Title | Role | Language | Channel |
| 2020 | Naga Bhairavi | Shivudu | Telugu | Zee Telugu |
| 2021 | Jothi | Hakkim Bhai | Tamil | Sun TV |
| 2021 | No.1 Kodalu | Himself | Telugu | Zee Telugu |

## Awards and honours
### National Film Awards

* 2009: "Dheera Dheera Dheera" in Magadheera (for Best Choreography)

### Tamil Nadu State Film Award for Best Choreographer

* 1996: Poove Unakkaga
* 2004: Vishwa Thulasi
* 2006: Varalaaru
* 2008: Uliyin Osai