Veteran Photographer And Filmmaker Sivan Passes Away At 89

Veteran photographer and filmmaker Sivan passed away at a private hospital in Thiruvananthapuram earlier today (June 24) due to a cardiac arrest. He was 89. As per reports, Sivan was admitted to the hospital on June 23 due to age-related health complications.

Sivan, who had won the National Film Award thrice, is best known as the first professional press photographer from Kerala. He had captured iconic pictures of some of the most popular Indian leaders. He had also served as the still photographer in several iconic films including Chemmeen, the Ramu Karyat directed classic.

He found the highly popular Sivan Studios in Thiruvananthapuram in 1959. Sivan is survived by his sons, cinematographer-filmmaker Santosh Sivan and filmmakers Sangeeth Sivan and Sanjeev Sivan, and daughter Saritha Rajeev Udayabhanu. The final rites of the legendary photographer will be held at in Thiruvananthapuram today.

Coming to Sivan's illustrious career, he had served as a still photographer in some of the most iconic films ever made in Malayalam cinema. Later, he kickstarted his journey as a filmmaker and directed several noted films including Yagam, Keshu, Swapnam, Abhayam, Kochu Kochu Mohangal, Oru Yathra, and others.

Some of the leading names of Malayalam cinema, including actor-filmmaker Prithviraj Sukumaran, paid tribute to Sivan on social media. Prithviraj took to his official social media handle and wrote: "Rest in peace Sivan uncle 🙏🙏🙏".

Our condolences to the Sivan family.