National Award-winning choreographer K Sivasankar dies due to COVID-19 related complications at the age of 72 on Sunday.
According to the sources at the hospital, where he was being treated for the coronavirus, the Telugu choreographer died yesterday in Hyderabad.
Sivasankar’s eldest son also tested positive for COVID-19 and is undergoing treatment for the viral infection.
It was learnt that 90% of his lungs were affected due to the infectious disease and he was on mechanical ventilator support.
Shiva Shankar Master was admitted to AIG Hospital, Gachibowli, with severe complication arising out of COVID-19.His wife Suganya and elder sister Vijay Shivashankar too tested positive for COVID-19. While Suganya is in home isolation, their son is undergoing treatment at another hospital.
Renowned dance choreographer Shiva Shankar:
Born on December 7, 1948, in Chennai, Shiva Shankar ‘Master’ as he is known in the film industry, had worked in nearly 800 films covering 10 languages.
A strong foundation in classical dance helped Shiva Shankar choreograph all forms of dances and his choreography for the ‘Dheera Dheera…’ number in Rajamouli’s Maghadheera won him the National Award in 2011.
A versatile artiste, Shiva Shankar who trained under veteran choreographer Salim, acted in nearly 30 films on being requested by a few directors.
As a judge for a dance reality show on TV, he became a household name. His witty and lovable Tamil-accented Telugu used to draw more audience to the show.
Shiva Shankar Master made his Telugu debut with Chiranjeevi-starrer Khaidi (1983) and went onto work in films like Ammoru (1995), Suryavamsam (1997), Swayamvaram (1999), Allari Pidugu (2005), Arundhati, Mahatma (2009) and Baahubali: The Beginning (2013).
He also turned actor and played several prominent roles in films like Sudigadu (2012), Nene Raju Nene Mantri (2017), NTR: Kathanayakudu, Ninu Veedani Needanu Nene and Raju Gari Gadhi 3 (2019).
Shiva Shankar has carved a niche for choreographing songs that depict feminine behaviour and attitude.
Having worked in over 800 films across Telugu, Tamil and other languages, Shiva Shankar Master won the National Film Award for Best Choreography for the song ‘Dheera Dheera Dheera’ in SS Rajamouli’s fantasy drama Magadheera (2008).
Actor Sonu Sood and several other personalities from the film industry have offered their condolences to the bereaved family.