Sivaji Ganesan, the legendary thespian of Tamil cinema, was usually in contrast with Marlon Brando, one of Hollywood’s biggest actors, as each have been celebrated for his or her mastery of technique appearing. Yet the 2 had by no means met till 1962, when Sivaji Ganesan was invited to the United States as half of the U.S.–India Cultural Exchange Programme, reportedly after President John F. Kennedy inquired about him.
What had drawn Kennedy’s consideration was Sivaji Ganesan’s uncommon gift to the children of the United States — a baby elephant. Sivaji had a pal on the U.S. Consulate in Chennai, and when he requested what gift from India would delight American children, the suggestion set him pondering.
“He pondered deeply. At last, he decided he would send them a baby elephant. From India, the little elephant was flown all the way to Indianapolis in the United States,” writes Dr. S.A.P. Jawahar Palaniappan, the famous heart specialist who later handled Sivaji Ganesan.
The cowl of the e-book ‘Sivaji: My Guest in America — The Untold Story of the Legend’ by famous heart specialist Dr. S.A.P. Jawahar Palaniappan who later handled Sivaji Ganesan
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Special Arrangement
In his e-book Sivaji: My Guest in America — The Untold Story of the Legend, Dr. Palaniappan — son of S.A.P. Annamalai, the late editor of Kumudham — information a number of conversations and incidents from Sivaji Ganesan’s visit. During the journey, Sivaji was handled as a state guest, assigned two officers to help him, and given a every day allowance of $160, a substantial sum on the time.
Sivaji Ganesan is being greeted by Charles Lanier, president of the Albuquerque Chamber of Commerce at Albuquerque airport on June 2, 1962
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The Hindu Archives
Sivaji Ganesan meets Marlon Brando
One of probably the most memorable moments of the visit got here when Sivaji Ganesan met Marlon Brando on the units of the movie The Ugly American. The two actors spoke at size about cinema and India. A curious Sivaji requested Brando whether or not he had watched any Indian movies.
“I’ve seen Satyajit Ray’s films,” Brando replied. “They show India’s poverty — children playing in gutters with pigs, women pushed into prostitution by hardship. I was heartbroken. Is India really like that?”
Quietly however firmly, Sivaji responded: “In America, wealth surrounds you. India’s poverty may appear to you as a kind of spectacle. But remember — what you see in those films is only one face of India, not the whole. You cannot judge an entire nation from that alone.”
Sivaji Ganesan (left) was welcomed by Marlon Brando (centre) at Universal International Studios throughout Ganesan’s visit to Hollywood. Dennis H. Kux, American Consul in Madras, who accompanied Sivaji Ganesan on his tour of the USA, can be seen.
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The Hindu Archives
He then made a placing level. “I am an actor, and so are you. Look at me — the way I dress, the way I speak, the way I carry myself. Do you find anything lacking? Now tell me again: what is your opinion of India?”
Brando didn’t reply. Instead, he lifted his cup of espresso and took a gradual sip. Sivaji would later say with delight that although Brando didn’t reply, he believed the Hollywood star had reconsidered his views about India that day. Sivaji Ganesan had recalled these incidents and anecdotes throughout a dinner at Dr. Jawahar Palaniappan’s residence which was attended by Mayor of Colombus Greg Lashutka, who introduced him the important thing to town, and the Mayor of Mount Vernon.
Dr. Jawahar Palaniappan information that many of these recollections have been narrated to him straight by Sivaji Ganesan throughout his keep as his guest within the United States. The heart specialist would later efficiently deal with Sivaji with trendy medicines, avoiding the surgical procedure that had earlier been instructed by a French physician.
Sivaji Ganesan is at Telegraph Hill, California throughout his two-month tour of the USA. With him are two Indian college students who recognised and greeted him. Also seen is V.E. Chetty of Madras, who accompanied him.
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The Hindu Archives
Sivaji and Hollywood motion motion pictures
Despite his status for portraying intense and critical roles in Tamil cinema, Sivaji Ganesan had a surprisingly playful facet when it got here to watching movies. He was significantly fond of Hollywood motion motion pictures.
When Dr. Palaniappan — who had already collected greater than 200 DVDs — requested Sivaji what he would love to watch, the reply got here immediately: an motion movie.
“He watched those Hollywood action films with joyous enthusiasm. During the first scenes, he would sway his hand, move his head and exclaim: ‘That is it! Hit him again — one more punch!’ He became one with the film. That day, I discovered a new, playful side of Sivaji,” writes Dr. Palaniappan.
Sivaji Ganesan strolls alongside Broadway throughout a sight-seeing tour of New York City, on April 18, 1962.
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The Hindu Archives
Among the actors he significantly admired have been Clint Eastwood, Sean Connery and, of course, Marlon Brando — the very star with whom he had as soon as shared a memorable dialog about India.
Dr. Palaniappan additionally organized an interview for the native every day The Columbus Dispatch, introducing Sivaji as the “Marlon Brando of South Indian cinema.” The newspaper carried a formidable full-page characteristic on him, full with color pictures.
Favourite actor of Sivaji’s spouse
Dr. Palaniappan’s e-book doesn’t confine itself to Sivaji Ganesan’s visit to the United States and his keep at his residence. It extends right into a biographical narrative, revealing a number of little-known particulars concerning the actor.
Sivaji Ganesan could have been a towering determine in cinema, however throughout their keep within the United States, his spouse, Kamala, advised Dr. Palaniappan’s mom that her favorite actor was none apart from M.G. Ramachandran (MGR).
Sivaji Ganesan with his spouse Kamala when he was introduced the ‘Dada Saheb Phalke Award’ in New Delhi on July 21, 1997
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The Hindu Archives
When Sivaji turned his head in direction of the dialog, Kamala rapidly clarified: “You have your own unique style in acting. Just like that, MGR has his own style. I happen to like his style — that is all I meant. But you are the Nadigar Thilagam. There is no second opinion about that.”
Though the followers of Sivaji and MGR usually clashed over the deserves of their movies, the 2 actors — mates from their theatre days — shared a deep bond. When MGR was present process therapy within the United States, he wished to see Sivaji Ganesan, who visited him together with his spouse. “Seeing him made me deeply happy — but I could not control my tears,” the e-book remembers Sivaji Ganesan as saying.
Another actor whom Sivaji admired vastly was M.R. Radha, whom he affectionately referred to as Radha Anna (elder brother). “Radha Anna was not only a lion in acting. He knew every job in the theatre — even electrical work,” Sivaji would usually say.
