K. Sivasankar

K. Sivashankar (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 Telugu and Tamil 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.

Filmography As choreographer

As actor Year Film Role Language Notes 1992 Chitram Bhalare Vichitram Dance master Telugu Special appearance in a song 1996 Poove Unakkaga Himself Tamil Guest appearance 2000 James Pandu Tamil 2003 Popcorn Tamil Alai Dance master Tamil 2004 Gomathi Nayagam Himself Tamil 2006 Mercury Pookkal Wedding guest Tamil Uncredited Varalaru Shivashankar's master Tamil Manasu Palike Mouna Raagam Priest Telugu 2007 Onbadhu Roobai Nottu Dhandapani Tamil 2008 Nadigai Himself Tamil Uncredited 2009 Ajantha Kannada Special appearance 2010 Kutti Pisasu / Cara Majaka / Bombat Car Dance master Tamil / Telugu / Kannada 2011 Gurusamy Himself Tamil 2012 Ajantha Malayalam / Tamil Special appearance Godfather Kannada Sudigadu Himself Telugu 2013 Kanna Laddu Thinna Aasaiya Sowmiya's father Tamil Paradesi Parisutham Tamil Thillu Mullu Dance master Tamil Potugadu Vaidehi's dance master Telugu 2014 Enna Satham Indha Neram Kidnapper Tamil Aranmanai Devotional singer Tamil 2015 Adhibar Tiger Kothandaraman Tamil Indru Netru Naalai Jewelry store owner Tamil 2016 Arthanari Ramasamy Tamil 2017 Engitta Modhathey Tamil Shivalinga Annalakshmi's assistant Tamil Nene Raju Nene Mantri Telugu Special appearance in the song "Radhamma Radhamma" 2018 Thaanaa Serndha Koottam Ondiveeran Tamil Ghajinikanth Mohan's father Tamil Nadodi Kanavu Tamil Sarkar Election commissioner Tamil 2019 Dhilluku Dhuddu 2 Viji's neighbour Tamil Akshara Dance teacher Telugu N.T.R: Kathanayakudu Vempati Chinna Satyam Telugu Ninu Veedani Needanu Nene Priest Telugu Raju Gari Gadhi 3 Colony president Telugu 2020 Pachai Vilakku Tamil Biskoth Old man Tamil 2021 Engada Iruthinga Ivvalavu Naala Master Tamil Climax Dance Master Telugu 2022 Idiot Vijayasimha Reddy Tamil Posthumous release Hero Dance master Telugu Posthumous release 2023 Bagheera Officer Tamil Posthumous release Ellaam Mela Irukuravan Paathuppan Ganapathy Tamil Posthumous release Nene Naa Telugu Posthumous release 2025 Virgin Boys Telugu Posthumous release

Television

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