MK unveils actor Sivaji's statue

Chennai, July 21 (UNI) The Tamil Nadu Government today unveiled an eight foot life size bronze statue of thespian late Sivaji Ganesan off the world famous Marina.

The statue already erected opposite to that of Mahatma Gandhi, was unveiled amidst controversy, after the Madras High Court declined to restrain the state Government from unveling it on a plea by a freedom fighter that it would obstruct the view of the Gandhi statue. However, it said that its action would be necessarily subject to the orders of Supreme Court.

At a glittering, star studded function, Chief Minister M Karunanidhi unveiled the statue to thunderous applause from other great personalities of Tamil cinema, headed by the two present day icons, Kamal Hassan and Rajnikanth, and watched with great emotion by late Sivaji's wife Kamala Ammal, his actor son Prabhu and producer Ramkumar. For Kamala ammal, the moment was very special, as it was for the first time that she had attended a public function since her husband's demise in 2001.

The statue, perceived by Mr Karunanidhi, who had written the the late thespian's first film 'Parasakthi'' in 1952, was to perpetuate the memory of Sivaji, often hailed as 'actors' actor' when he blazed Tamil cinema with his charecteristic portrayal of a variety of roles in various genres like socials, mythologicals, historicals and folklore. The peak of his acting calibre was when he portrayed nine different roles in a film ''Navarathri''( 'Nine nights) in the mid 60s.

Sivaji's acting prowess, reportedly hailed by even Hollywood greats like late Marlon Brando of the "Godfather" fame, was for the first time acknowledged at international level when another of his film "Veerapandya Kattabomman"- the story of a freedom fighter, which he portrayed with great zeal, won him the Best Actor award, in Cairo in 1959. The French Government also honoured him with 'Chevalier' award. He was also honoured with 'Dadasaheb Palke' award by the Central Government.

The Sivaji-Karunanidhi combination also produced box-office hits like "Manohara", "Thirumbipaar" and "Madiveettu Ezhai".

Innumerable fans of Sivaji and representatives of the (Thevar) community to which he belonged to attended the function.

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