# Sivakumar

Palaniswamy (born 27 October 1941), better known by his stage name Sivakumar, is an Indian visual artist and former 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 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

| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
| 1965 | Kaakum Karangal | Surendar | |
| 1966 | Motor Sundaram Pillai | Gopal | |
| 1966 | Thaaye Unakkaga | Raju | |
| 1966 | Saraswathi Sabatham | Vishnu | |
| 1967 | Kandhan Karunai | Murugan | |
| 1967 | Kaavalkaaran | Chandran | |
| 1967 | Kan Kanda Deivam | Servant | |
| 1968 | Thirumal Perumai | Vishnu | |
| 1968 | Panama Pasama | Shankar's brother in law | |
| 1968 | Jeevanamsam | Sabapathi | |
| 1968 | Uyarndha Manithan | Sathyamurthy | |
| 1969 | Kaaval Dheivam | Manickam | |
| 1969 | Kanni Penn | | |
| 1969 | Annaiyum Pithavum | | |
| 1970 | Vilaiyattu Pillai | Manickam | |
| 1970 | Ethiroli | Sundaram | |
| 1970 | Kasturi Thilakam | Balu | |
| 1970 | Thirumalai Thenkumari | Sekhar | |
| 1970 | Navagraham | Vatsala's lover | |
| 1971 | Thirumagal | Ramu | |
| 1971 | Kankaatchi | Shankar | |
| 1971 | Therottam | Ravi | |
| 1971 | Moondru Deivangal | Kumar | |
| 1971 | Annai Velankanni | Rangaiah | |
| 1971 | Babu | Prem | |
| 1971 | Annai Abirami | Naga Devatha | |
| 1972 | Agathiyar | Tholkappiyar | |
| 1972 | Bala Bharatam | Vishnu | Telugu film |
| 1972 | Kurathi Magan | Icecream man | Guest Appearance |
| 1972 | Shakthi Leelai | Naratha Muni | |
| 1972 | Idhaya Veenai | Kirymani | |
| 1972 | Deivam | Subramaniyam | |
| 1973 | Ganga Gowri | Mahadevan | |
| 1973 | Arangetram | Thangavelu | |
| 1973 | Bharatha Vilas | Shankar | |
| 1973 | Rajaraja Cholan | Prince Rajendra Chola I | |
| 1973 | Shanmugapriya | | Guest Appearance |
| 1973 | Ponnukku Thanga Manasu | Ramu | |
| 1973 | Sontham | Siva | |
| 1973 | Thirumalai Deivam | Vishnu / Srinivasan | |
| 1973 | Kattila Thottila | Sambhasivam | |
| 1973 | Karaikkal Ammaiyar | Shiva | |
| 1973 | Pennai Nambungal | Raghu | |
| 1973 | Sollathaan Ninaikkiren | Raghavan | |
| 1974 | Thirumangalyam | Murali | |
| 1974 | Tiger Thathachari | Kumaraguru | |
| 1974 | Sisupalan | Krishna | Guest Appearance |
| 1974 | Maanikka Thottil | Bhaskar | Guest Appearance |
| 1974 | Kanmani Raja | Selvam | |
| 1974 | Dheerga Sumangali | Babu | |
| 1974 | Vellikizhamai Viratham | Nagarajan | |
| 1974 | Gumasthavin Magal | Ramu | |
| 1974 | Onne Onnu Kanne Kannu | | |
| 1974 | Paadha Poojai | Ramesh | |
| 1974 | Engamma Sapatham | Kumaran | |
| 1974 | Thaai Pasam | Moorthy | |
| 1974 | Panathukkaga | Ramesh | |
| 1975 | Enga Pattan Sothu | Saravana | |
| 1975 | Puthu Vellam | Pachai Kanna | |
| 1975 | Then Sindhudhe Vaanam | Raja | |
| 1975 | Ippadiyum Oru Penn | | |
| 1975 | Melnaattu Marumagal | Mohan | |
| 1975 | Thangathile Vairam | Ravi | |
| 1975 | Yarukkum Vetkam Illai | | |
| 1975 | Pattikkaattu Raja | Annasamy / Raja | |
| 1975 | Uravu Solla Oruvan | Bhaskar | Guest Appearance |
| 1975 | Aan Pillai Singam | Ashok | |
| 1976 | Madhana Maaligai | Thyagu / Raja | |
| 1976 | Gruhapravesam | Ravi | |
| 1976 | Ungalil Oruthi | Sridhar | |
| 1976 | Annakili | Thyagarajan | Nominated, Filmfare Award for Best Actor – Tamil |
| 1976 | Santhathi | | |
| 1976 | Uravadum Nenjam | | |
| 1976 | Bhadrakali | Ganesh | |
| 1977 | Sonnathai Seiven | | |
| 1977 | Kavikkuyil | Gopal | |
| 1977 | Etharkkum Thuninthavan | Kannan | |
| 1977 | Sorgam Naragam | Shankar | |
| 1977 | Thunai Iruppal Meenakshi | | |
| 1977 | Bhuvana Oru Kelvi Kuri | Nagarajan | |
| 1977 | Sri Krishna Leela | Vishnu / Krishna | |
| 1977 | Aattukara Alamelu | Vijay | Nominated, Filmfare Award for Best Actor – Tamil |
| 1977 | Pennai Solli Kutramillai | Madhu | |
| 1977 | Durga Devi | | |
| 1977 | Perumaikkuriyaval | Bhaskar | |
| 1977 | Sainthadamma Sainthadu | Thenna | |
| 1978 | Maariyamman Thiruvizha | Chinna Thambi | |
| 1978 | Machanai Paatheengala | Muthaiya | |
| 1978 | Kai Pidithaval | | |
| 1978 | Chittu Kuruvi | Raja / Ganesh | |
| 1978 | Radhai Ketra Kannan | Kamala Kannan | |
| 1978 | Adhaivida Ragasiyam | Kandasamy | |
| 1978 | Kannan Oru Kai Kuzhandhai | Kannan | |
| 1978 | Kannamoochi | Prabhu | |
| 1979 | Muthal Iravu | Raja | |
| 1979 | Enippadigal | Manickam | |
| 1979 | Rosappu Ravikkaikari | Sembattayan | 100th Film Winner, Filmfare Award for Best Actor – Tamil |
| 1979 | Poonthalir | Ashok | |
| 1979 | Ennadi Meenakshi | | |
| 1979 | Devathai | Kaali | |
| 1979 | Kadavul Amaitha Medai | Boopathy | |
| 1979 | Yarukku Yar Kaaval | | |
| 1980 | Oru Velladu Vengaiyagiradhu | | |
| 1980 | Avan Aval Adhu | Ramu | |
| 1980 | Kaadhal Kiligal | Vasanth | |
| 1980 | Samandhipoo | Chidambaram | |
| 1980 | Vandichakkaram | Gaja | Winner, Filmfare Award for Best Actor – Tamil |
| 1980 | Raman Parasuraman | Ram / Parasuraman | Dual Role |
| 1980 | Kuruvikoodu | | |
| 1980 | Thunive Thozhan | Chandran | |
| 1981 | Neruppile Pootha Malar | Lawrence | |
| 1981 | Aani Ver | Raman | |
| 1981 | Kodeeswaran Magal | Mohan | |
| 1981 | Nellikani | | |
| 1981 | Andru Muthal Indru Varai | Nathesan | |
| 1982 | Thunaivi | Sundaram | |
| 1982 | Ananda Ragam | Muthu | |
| 1982 | Ayiram Muthangal | Murali | |
| 1982 | Nambinal Nambungal | | |
| 1982 | Thaai Mookaambikai | Senthil | |
| 1982 | Theerpugal Thiruththapadalam | Rajesh | |
| 1982 | Agni Sakshi | Aravindhan | Nominated, Filmfare Award for Best Actor – Tamil |
| 1982 | Nijangal | | |
| 1983 | Urangatha Ninaivugal | Rishi | |
| 1983 | Saattai Illatha Pambaram | Palanisamy | |
| 1983 | Veetula Raman Veliyila Krishnan | Rajasekar | |
| 1983 | Sashti Viratham | Senthil | |
| 1983 | Indru Nee Naalai Naan | Pazhaniappan | |
| 1983 | Thandikkappatta Nyayangal | Prabhu | |
| 1983 | Thangaikkor Geetham | Harichandran | |
| 1983 | Thambathigal | Thyagu | |
| 1984 | Kuva Kuva Vaathugal | Azhagu | |
| 1984 | Amma Irukka | Ramu | |
| 1984 | Naan Paadum Paadal | C.R. Subramaniam | |
| 1984 | Nilavu Suduvathillai | Ravi | |
| 1984 | Unnai Naan Santhithen | Raghuraman | |
| 1985 | Pournami Alaigal | Rajesh | |
| 1985 | Pudhu Yugam | Rajasekar | |
| 1985 | Sugamana Raagangal | Kaalikkan | |
| 1985 | Karpoora Deepam | Arun | |
| 1985 | Meendum Parasakthi | Vijay | |
| 1985 | Prema Paasam | | |
| 1985 | Sindhu Bhairavi | J. K. Balaganapathy | Nominated, Filmfare Award for Best Actor – Tamil |
| 1986 | Kanmaniye Pesu | Chandrasekhar | |
| 1986 | Jeevanathi | Gopi | |
| 1986 | Kanna Thorakkanum Saami | Sekhar | |
| 1986 | Yaaro Ezhuthiya Kavithai | Dr. Sivaraman | |
| 1986 | Isai Paadum Thendral | Mohan | |
| 1986 | Manithanin Marupakkam | Ravi Varma | |
| 1986 | Unakkaagave Vaazhgiren | Ravishankar | |
| 1986 | Panneer Nadhigal | Rajesh | |
| 1987 | Ini Oru Sudhanthiram | Sathyamoorthy | |
| 1987 | Chinna Kuyil Paaduthu | Raja | |
| 1988 | Poovum Puyalum | Muthulingam | |
| 1988 | Illam | Mayilsamy Goundar | |
| 1988 | Oruvar Vaazhum Aalayam | Siva Gurunathan | |
| 1988 | Paasa Paravaigal | Dr. Sukumar | |
| 1988 | Paadatha Thenikkal | Sathy | |
| 1990 | Pagalil Pournami | DSP Rajasekar | |
| 1990 | Nyayangal Jayikkattum | Sathyabharathi / Muthuvelu | |
| 1990 | Urudhi Mozhi | Dr. Chandrasekar | |
| 1990 | Nee Sirithaal Deepavali | | |
| 1991 | Sir... I Love You | Arun | |
| 1991 | Marupakkam | Vembu Iyer | |
| 1991 | Manitha Jaathi | |
| 1991 | Pillai Paasam | | |
| 1992 | Annan Ennada Thambi Ennada | Rakkaiya Gounder |
| 1992 | Sathyam Adhu Nichayam | Sathyamoorthy | |
| 1992 | Onna Irukka Kathukanum | Sivaraman | |
| 1993 | Dasarathan | Dasarathan's father | |
| 1993 | Ponnumani | Kathirvelu | |
| 1993 | Porantha Veeda Puguntha Veeda | Ravi | |
| 1994 | Siragadikka Aasai | Shiva | |
| 1994 | Veettai Paaru Naattai Paaru | Palanivel | |
| 1994 | Mettupatti Mirasu | Mettupatti Mirasu / Siva | |
| 1994 | Watchman Vadivel | Vadivelu | |
| 1995 | Deva | Gandhidasan | |
| 1995 | Pasumpon | Kathiresathevar | |
| 1995 | Dear Son Maruthu | Viswanathan | |
| 1996 | Nattupura Pattu | Palanisamy | |
| 1997 | Sakthi | Dharmaraj | |
| 1997 | Raman Abdullah | Hajiar | |
| 1997 | Kadhalukku Mariyadhai | Rajasekhar | |
| 1999 | Unnai Thedi | Adhi Narayanan | |
| 1999 | Kummi Paattu | Dharmaraasu | |
| 1999 | Malabar Police | Nagarajan | |
| 1999 | Maravathe Kanmaniye | Dharmaraasu |
| 1999 | Sethu | Vasudevan | |
| 1999 | Kannupada Poguthaiya | Paramasivam | |
| 2000 | Ilaiyavan | T. Babu | |
| 2000 | Uyirile Kalanthathu | Inspector Sethu Vinayagam | |
| 2001 | Poovellam Un Vaasam | Arunachalam | |

### Television

* Ethanai Manidhargal (1997)
* Dhik Dhik Dhik (1999)
* Kaveri (1999–2001)
* Chithi (1999–2001)
* Annamalai (2002–2005)

### Writer

* Herova? Zerova? (2008; Short film)

## 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
* 1979 – Best Actor – Tamil for Rosaappo Ravikkai Kaari
* 1980 – Best Actor – Tamil for Vandichakkaram
* 2007 – Filmfare Lifetime Achievement Award
Tamil Nadu State Film Awards
* 1979 – Best Actor Award for Avan aval adhu
* 1982 – Best Actor Award for Agni Sakshi
Anna Centenary Library
* 2012 – Lifetime Achievement Award
Norway Tamil Film Festival Awards
* 2015 – Norway Tamil Film Festival Kalaichigaram Award
Vijay Awards
* 2018 – Vijay Award for Contribution to Tamil Cinema