Sivaji Ganesan’s gift of baby elephant to American children and his U.S. visit as state guest
Discover Sivaji Ganesan's remarkable U.S. visit as a state guest and his heartfelt gift of a baby elephant.
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Sivaji Ganesan was invited to the United States as part of the U.S.–India Cultural Exchange Programme. During the trip, Sivaji was treated as a state guest, assigned two officials to assist him, and given a daily allowance of $160, a considerable sum at the time.
Updated - July 20, 2026 03:31 pm IST - CHENNAI
Sivaji Ganesan presents a baby elephant to the Indianapolis Zoo during a function held at his residence in Madras. Albert B. Franklin, American Consul General, accepted the elephant calf ‘Kamla’ on behalf of the children of the United States of America | Photo Credit: The Hindu Archives
Sivaji Ganesan, the legendary thespian of Tamil cinema, was often compared with Marlon Brando, one of Hollywood’s greatest actors, as both were celebrated for their mastery of method acting. Yet the two had never met until 1962, when Sivaji Ganesan was invited to the United States as part of the U.S.–India Cultural Exchange Programme, reportedly after President John F. Kennedy inquired about him.
What had drawn Kennedy’s attention was Sivaji Ganesan’s unusual gift to the children of the United States — a baby elephant. Sivaji had a friend at the U.S. Consulate in Chennai, and when he asked what gift from India would delight American children, the suggestion set him thinking.
Published - March 11, 2026 06:00 am IST
Tamil cinema / Tamil Nadu / USA / India-United States / Tamil Nadu InFocus
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