The legendary Kathakali dancer Prof. N.K. Shivsankaran was born in a suave and well-to-do family of Kerala in 1936. His family was sincerely inclined to art and culture. He started taking lessons in Kathakali at the early age of nine. He was a devoted student of dance and continued to learn thoroughly till the age of fourteen. 

By this time, Shivsankaran had acquired absolute mastery over the subject. He started giving solo performances in Kerala and the adjoining states. He hogged the attention of the connoisseurs of dance and was shot into limelight overnight. He did not have to look back again. Now he deceided to teach this graceful dance to several aspiring students. Since then, his solo performances and dance tuitions went on simultaneously.

At that time Udaysankar was contriving to make 'Kalpana' into a feature film. A new era in the history of Indian Cinema was in the offing as it would be the maidan film made entirely on dance. Udaysankar was eager to be meticulous about his novel experiment which, he knew, would revolutionize the art of cinema and change conventional patterns and set rules. Udaysankar had once seen shivsankaran performing and was highly impressed by him. So the maestro offered an important role to Shivsankaran's life.

In course of time, as the lead dancer in Udaysankar's ballet troupe, he went to perform in U.S.A., Canada, U.K., Belgium, China etc. He was highly appreciated by all and sundry wherever and whenever he has performed. He was extolled in different magazines and newspapers and was acclaimed by the critics. In 1955, he joined as a Kathakali teacher in the 'West Bengal Nritya, Natak, Sangeet Academy.'

In 1961, he got a scholarship from the Government of India and went to the Soviet Union for higher studies and research on ballet and choreography. There he got admitted in the 'Moscow States Institute of Theatre Arts' which was popularly known as 'Gitis.' During his stay in Moscow, Shivsankaran conducted several workshops and seminars on Indian Dance where he discussed about the suppleness, and aesthetic aspects of Indian dance forms and their utilitarian values. In 1963, this quintessential dancer performed 'Shakuntala' (based on Kalidasa's epic) in the 'Rigam Academy Theatre' and presented a sui generis specimen of Russian ballet. This first production of Shivsankaran in Russia literally created a sensation. His next production was Rabindranath Tagore's 'Tasher Desh' in Russian. He received huge recognition and honour as the direction and choreographer of 'Shakuntala' and 'Tasher Desh.'

He received a warm welcome as he returned to India after winning the heart of Russia. This time he took charge as a professor of dance in the Rabindra Bharati University. Moreover, the onus of the Head of the Dept. of Dance was also devolved on his shoulders. His exquisite dance programmes have been shown on the Doordarshan on several occasions. He has also written columns on dance and its manifold aspects in several magazines and newspapers at different times. As a dance critic, he has worked with leading newspapers like 'The Statesman,' 'The Telegraphs,' 'Amrita Bazar Patrika' etc. 

He has also worked as the chief examiner of dance in the Biswa Bharati. Apart from being a quintessential dancer, Shivsankaran is also known for his philanthropic activities.