Veteran Kannada actor Shivaram passed away in Bengaluru on Saturday morning, December 4. He was 83. Shivaram had been undergoing treatment for brain haemorrhage at a private hospital after he collapsed at his home on the night of November 30 while performing a puja ahead of his pilgrimage to Sabarimala. Surgery was ruled out by doctors in view of his age and other health issues. The news of Shivaram's demise has come as a big shock to many in Karnataka and the film industry, with fans, celebrities and personalities from all walks of life expressing their condolences, including Karnataka Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai paying his tributes. He tweeted, "The death of Shivaram, a veteran of Kannada cinema, is a sad thing. Shivaram's loss is an insurmountable loss for Kannada cinema. May God grant peace to their soul and pray for mercy to their family." Basavaraj Bommai paid his respects to the late actor at his funeral that was held at his residence and comforted the family members. 

Shivaram began his career in Kannada cinema as an associate director before making a transition to acting as a character artiste. He debuted as an actor in the 1965 film Beretha Jeeva and was featured in several ventures alongside matinee idol Rajkumar under Puttanna Kanagal's direction. Shivaram has also made appearances alongside iconic Kannada actors like Vishnuvardhan and Ambareesh and, starred in memorable films like Apathamira Snehada Sedu, Hombisilu, Sharapanjara, Nanobba Kalla, Geetha, Naagarahavu, Naraghole and Yajamana to name a notable few. As a producer, his credentials include bankrolling films like Gejje Puje and Upasane, while he also donned the director's hat for Hrudaya Sangama. 

Shivaram was felicitated with the Dr Rajkumar Lifetime Achievement Award by the Karnataka government in 2010-11. He was also honoured with the Padmabhushan Dr B Saroja Devi National Award in 2013 for his contributions to the Kannada film industry by the Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan.