L. Vijayalakshmi Dutta | |
|---|---|
| File:L. Vijayalakshmi .jpg Indian screen star:L. Vijayalakshmi | |
| Born | Vijayalakshmi Lakshmanan |
| Other names | L. Vijayalakshmi, Vijayalakshmi , Viji , Vijayalakshmi Dutta |
| Occupation(s) | Film actress , Indian Classical Dancer , Budgeting Officer in Virginia Polytechnic University |
| Years active | 1952–present |
| Spouse |
Suraj kumar De Dutta
(m. 1969) |
| Children | Raj Kumar De Dutta |
| Parent | Lakshmanan (Father) |
L. Vijayalakshmi is an Indian film actress who was active during the 1960s and 1970s.[1] She was a prominent lead actress during the early 1960s in Malayalam, Tamil, Kannada, Telugu ad Hindi films.[2] She has acted in around 50 movies in all south Indian languages.[3] Her debut film was Marumakal in 1952, directed by S. K Chaari.
Vijayalakshmi was born in Ernakulam and was raised at Tirunelveli and then shifted to Pune. 6 year old Viji saw Vyjayanthimala , lalitha , padmini dance at the South Indian Associate in Pune. She used do dance practice in the backyard of her house. While watching her performance, her father noticed his young daughter's talent and put her under guidance of Guru Sukumara Pillai. L. Vijayalakshmi's first performance came at nine years of age, invited to perform at temple in Andhra Pradesh. Viji practiced throughout the train journey. Since Viji needed advanced dance training, the family moved to Madras, where they rented a house at South Mada Street, Mylapore in order for Viji to learn Bharathanatyam. She selected an exponent Guru Kamala and received training in that style of art and eventually became a graceful dancer.[4].
But they had no idea about whom to apporach for dance lessons, One night when viji her father Lakshmanan were taking a sholl round the Kapaleeswarar Temple tank, the heard the jangle of Salangai from a house. With hesitation lakshmanan knocked on the door, and found an young lady doing Nattuvangam while a girl danced. The young lady was K. J. Sarasa, suggested that lakshmanan her guru Vazhuvoor Ramaiah Pillai, who accepted her as his discipline. E. V. Saroja was learning from him too at that time. We were all like a family says Viji. Viji arangetram at R. R. Sabha followed in just 10 months. Viji arangetram was on 28 October, 1955, we were not wealthy family. So she had just one dress for the entire three hour performance. These day, find that arangetram are costly affairs with dinner through. In out days, not even a cup of tea was offered to those who attended. and Yet the hall was packed.
She didn't even have a printed invitation for my arangetram. Invitation was by word of mouth. E. Krishnan Iyer spoke before viji's arangetram and Hindi film director V.Shantaram presided. viji took Kamala Lakshmanan's blessings. The day after her arangetram, viji was offered slots by four sabhas and soon a busy dance. Upon Ramaiah Pillai suggestion she began to learn more intricacies from Swaminatha Pillai and Padmas from Mylapore Gowri Amma.[5]
She was entry into early 50s. Her debut film Marumakal in 1952 directed by S. K. Chaari. In 1959 viji entered films the Telugu film Sipayi Kuthuru did she have to train seprated for film dance modified clasical dance . There were classical dance more in Telugu film than in Tamil.[5] She was a very beautiful actress with fantastic dancing skill was very familiar to all film during that period. She had a character role in it and performance a Classical dance also for that film which was liked by the audience. She continuously got chance to act and dance in several films afterwards. Since, Telugu audience liked classical dance. Soon she become great star in Telugu. She acted along with NTR , ANR and other super stars.
She acted in many Malayalam movies which three were with Prem Nazir followed: Jnana Sundari, Laila Majunu and Sathya Bhama. They were super hit movies during the early 60s.
At the stages she got offer from Tamil films and acted in super hit movies with co-stars M. G. Ramachandran , Sivaji Ganesan , Jaishankar, Gemini Ganesan , R. Muthuraman and Ravichandran. She has acted in more than 100 films Bangra dance number of film Kudiyirundha Koyil with song Aadaludan Paadalai Kettu Rasipathilethan Sugam Sugam become tremendous hit. The dance sequence as well as the song was very much liked by audience. M. G. Ramachandran was training the Bangra dance sequence along with L. Vijayalakshmi.
Viji's first Tamil debut film is Aalukkoru Veeduin year 1960.She Played Paadhai Theriyudhu Paar movie comes from 1960 . This movie won National Film Award for Best Feature Film in Tamil but not run good Box Office hit.Paadhai Theriyudhu Paar movie is Vijayan debut film in Tamil language. Suganthy Krishnamachari stated the hindu article the film distributor complained to the director about the absence of a dance by L. Vijayalakshmi. The director said Viji knowns, how to dance, but the character she plays in the film does not.[5] Then Viji acted under S. Balachandar direction movie is Bommai releasing 1964 Tamil suspense thriller movie completed 100 days many theatres in Madras. The Philosophical song Neeyum Bommai Naanum Bommai this song marked the playback singing debut of K.J. Yesudas in Tamil Cinema.
OOty Varai Uravu was she is last film. It was during this film that her brother friend Suraj Kumar De Dutta an Agricultural Scientist working in Philippines, saw her photographs and fell love with her. So, he visit Madras and went to AVM studio where Viji was shooting and introduced himself as her brother friend. The Next day, he turned up at yet. Another Studio where she was shooting. He propose to her on the sets.[5].
With a prosperous film career a head of her, but her parents helped her make choice by high lighting the significance of getting married at the right time. After marriage viji took to Benores Hindu Matriculation exam as a Private Candidate.[5]. In 1969, she settled down in Manila, and with nothing else to do took up higher studies. Agriculture was her chosen subject.
In 1977, when the then Prime Minister Morarji Desai visited Manila, the Indian Embassy there asked her to give dance performance at a function organised in horour. Morarji Bhai called her husband lucky when he saw Viji's Bharathanatyam performance. Then Viji Shifted to the United States of America in 1991 and studied Chartered Public Audit(CPA) and got a job as Budgeting Officer in Virginia Polytechnic University of USA
| Year | Movie | Character/song |
|---|---|---|
| 1955 | neethipathi | Ananthame Ananthame |
| 1960 | Kavalai Illaadha Manithan | J. P. Chandrababu wife |
| 1960 | Aalukkoru veedu | unknown |
| 1960 | Paadhai Theriyudhu Paar | Movie won National Film Award for Best Feature Film in Tamil |
| 1960 | Kalathur Kannamma | Dancer |
| 1961 | Thaiyilla Pillai | Lalitha |
| 1962 | Sumaithaangi | Gemini Ganesan sister |
| 1964 | Bommai | Mallika |
| 1965 | aayirathil Oruvan | M.N. Nambiar wife |
| 1965 | Panchavarna Kili | Azhagan Muruganidam |
| 1965 | Kakkum Karangal | Vijayalakshmi as Viji |
| 1966 | Vallavan Oruvan | Thara |
| 1966 | Iru Vallavargal | Rani |
| 1967 | Sabash Thambi | Shanthi |
| 1967 | Ethirigal Jakkirathai | Prabha |
| 1967 | Ooty Varai Uravu | Vijaya |
| 1968 | Kudiyirundha Koyil | Aadaludan Paadalai |
| 1968 | Anbu Vazhi | unknown |