
From the drama troupe trainers, he was fortunate enough to learn acting and dancing. At the age of 10, he moved to Tiruchirappalli and joined a drama troupe in Sangiliyandapuram and began to perform in stage plays. Without his father's consent, Ganesan decided to join a touring stage drama company at the age of seven. Media outlets said that the initial 'V' stood for Villupuram, though one of Ganesan's sons stated that it stands for Vettaithidal, a village from which their family originates.

Early in his career, Ganesan acted under the name V. Ganesan was born on 1 October 1928, as the fourth son of Chinnaiya Manrayar and Rajamani Ammal in Villupuram, India.

He was known for his versatility and the variety of roles he depicted on screen, which gave him also the Tamil nickname Nadigar Thilagam ( transl. He was active in Tamil cinema during the latter half of the 20th century.

Ganesan) better known by his stage name Sivaji Ganesan, (1 October 1928 – 21 July 2001) was an Indian actor and producer. Ordre des Arts et des Lettres (Chevalier) (1995).
