Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India: Renowned actor and painter Sivakumar has been awarded an honorary doctorate by Jayalalithaa Music and Fine Arts University. The accolade was presented to him by Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M.K. Stalin. Sivakumar is widely recognized as the father of popular Tamil actors Suriya and Karthi.

Having appeared in around 175 Tamil films, many of which were later remade in Telugu featuring actors like Krishna and Chandramohan, Sivakumar has left a lasting mark on the South Indian film industry. Alongside his film career, he has also acted in television serials. Recently, Jayalalithaa Music and Fine Arts University honored him with an honorary doctorate and the Lifetime Achievement Award for his significant contributions to storytelling, presented by Chief Minister M.K. Stalin.

Sivakumar revealed that he initially aspired to become a painter after losing his father at a young age. While he was inspired by legendary actors such as M.G. Ramachandran (MGR) and Sivaji Ganesan, he eventually realized that reaching the stardom of Rajinikanth or Kamal Haasan might not be possible. This led him to branch out into motivational talks and personality development sessions, inspiring countless young people.

Additionally, Sivakumar pursued academic interests, earning a Ph.D. in studies on the Ramayana, marking his contribution to literature. His sons, Suriya and Karthi, continue to uphold his values, particularly in education and nurturing children, often through their charitable trust. Karthi expressed immense pride and joy at his father receiving this prestigious honorary doctorate.