Celebrated filmmaker, cinematographer, art director, producer, and still photographer Sivan has passed away due to cardiac arrest at his residence in Thiruvananthapuram on Thursday. He was 89.

A multiple national award winner, Sivan has directed state and nationally recognised features such as Yagam (1981), Abhayam (1991), Kochu Kochu Mohangal (1993), Oru Yathra (1999), Kilivathil (2008), and Kesu (2009).

Noted film personalities Santosh Sivan, Sangeeth Sivan, Sanjeev Sivan, and Saritha Rajiv are his children. The late Smt. Chandramani was his spouse.

Born to Gopalapillai and Bhavaniamma in Harippad, Sivan was the second of their six children. He started his career as a still photographer and was known for being the still photographer on the Malayalam classic, Chemmeen (1965).

In addition, he had worked as the art director for films such as Kayyum Thalayum Purathidaruthu (1985), Ilanjipookkal (1986), and Aparahnam (1990).

He had established the well-known Sivan's Studio in Thiruvananthapuram in 1959.