New Delhi: Veteran cinematographer-film director Sivan, who was decorated with the National Award thrice, died of cardiac arrest on Thursday morning at his residence in Thiruvananthapuram.
He was 89. He left the Malayalam film industry in shock.
Several netizens and celebrities expressed grief over the demise of the legend through their social media handles after Sivan’s son, Sangeeth Sivan, took to Twitter and penned a heartfelt note that read, “Thank you Dad for everything!
“Difficult to imagine a world without you, but we will continue to trudge the path you have paved for us, safe in the knowledge that you would be guiding us from your place in the clouds and stars. Forever indebted. #OmShanthi.”
Sivan was born to Gopala Pillai and Bhavaniamma of Padeettathil house in Harippad. The second of six children, he rose to fame with the photographs he took for the film entitled Chemeen.
He was one of the earliest government press photographers in the then Travancore region, who eventually worked his way up to become one of the most celebrated cinematographers and directors in the Malayalam film industry. He also founded the Sivan Studios at Thiruvananthapuram Statue junction in the year 1959.
Sivan had debuted in the industry as a director in 1972 with Swapnam. Some of his well-known films include Abhayam, Yagam, Keshu, Kochu Kochu Mohangal, Oru Yathra, and Kilivathil.
At present, his sons, Santosh Sivan, Sangeeth Sivan and Sanjeev Sivan, are notable celebrities in the film industry.
(Avya Mathur)