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{{short description|Indian film actress and classical dancer (born 1943)}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=February 2016}}
{{Use Indian English|date=February 2016}}
{{more citations needed|date=July 2016}}
{{Infobox person
| image =
| caption =
| name = L. Vijayalakshmi
| native_name =
| birth_name = Lakshmanan Vijayalakshmi
| birth_date = {{Birth date and age|1943|05|05|df=yes}}
| birth_place = [[Ernakulam]] , [[Tirunelveli]], [[British Raj|British India]], <br/> (now in [[Tamil Nadu]], [[India]])
| death_date =
| death_place =
| height =
| other_names = L. Vijayalakshmi, Vijayalakshmi, Viji, Vijayalakshmi Datta
| occupation = [[Actress|Film actress]], [[Indian Classical Dance]]r, Budgeting Officer in [[Virginia Polytechnic University]]
| awards =
| years_active= 1959-1969
| homepage =
| parents = Lakshmanan (father)
|spouse = {{marriage|[[Surajit Kumar De Datta]]|1969}}
| children = Raj Kumar (b.1970)
| signature =
| signature_alt =
}}

'''L. Vijayalakshmi''' is an Indian actress and classical dancer whose career was from 1959 to 1969.<ref>[https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0478352/ L. Vijayalakshmi] Internet Movie Database website.</ref> She appeared in [[Malayalam film|Malayalam]], [[Tamil film|Tamil]], [[Kannada film|Kannada]], [[Telugu film|Telugu]] and [[Hindi]] films.<ref>[http://www.malayalachalachithram.com/profiles.php?i=7416 L Vijayalakshmi ] Malayalachalachithram.com Accessed 29 March 2015.</ref><ref>[http://malayalasangeetham.info/displayProfile.php?category=actors&artist=Vijayalakshmi Vijayalakshmi] Malayalasangeetham.info 26 January 2009 Accessed 29 March 2015.</ref>

== Early life and training ==
{{Quote box
| quote = "I remember I used to take bus route 21C to Ramaiah Pillai house. Often lessons went on for six hours. [[E. V. Saroja]] was learning from him too that time."
| source = Suganthy Krishnamachari<ref name="thehindu1"/>
| width = 25%
| align = right}}

Vijayalakshmi was born in [[Ernakulam]] and was raised in [[Tirunelveli]]. Her family then moved to [[Pune]]. There, at six years, Vijayalakshmi, was inspired when she saw [[Vyjayanthimala]], [[Lalitha (actress)|Lalitha]] and [[Padmini (actress)|Padmini]] dance at the South Indian Association and she would practice dancing in the backyard of her house.<ref name="thehindu1"/> Vijayalakshmi's father noticed her talent for dancing and sent her to a mentor, Sukumara Pillai.

Vijayalakshmi's first performance was at a temple in [[Andhra Pradesh]] when she was nine years old. When Vijayalakshmi needed advanced dance training, the discipline of [[Bharathanatyam]], her family moved to [[Madras]]. They lived in South Mada Street, [[Mylapore]] and Vijayalakshmi was mentored by Kamala.<ref>Babu S. [http://indianscreenstars.blogspot.com.au/2013/09/lvijayalakshmi.htm Vijayalakshmi] A blog about Indian screen stars. 18 December 2015.</ref>

Then, quite by accident when walking near the [[Kapaleeswarar Temple]], Vijayalakshmi met K. J. Sarasa who sent her to the dance teacher, Vazhuvoor Ramaiah Pillai. [[E. V. Saroja]] was also his student.<ref name="thehindu1"/> Ten months later, on 28 October 1955, Vijayalakshmi made her debut at the Rasika Rajya Sabha, a cultural organisation hall.

Vijayalakshmi was not from a wealthy family. She had just one costume for the three-hour performance. The family could not offer more than tea as refreshments to the audience and there were no printed invitations. Despite these disadvantages, the concert was well attended.
Vijayalakshmi was introduced by [[E. Krishna Iyer]], a classical artist. The [[filmmaker]], [[V. Shantaram]] and the performer, Kamala Lakshmanan were in attendance.

Following her debut, Vijayalakshmi was offered employment at no less than four cultural organisations (''sabha'').<ref name="thehindu1"/> However, her teacher suggested she advance her dance skills through tuition with [[T. K. Swaminatha Pillai]].<ref name="thehindu1">Krishnamachari S. [http://www.thehindu.com/features/friday-review/interview-with-l-vijayalakshmi/article6860381.ece ''Interview with L Vijayalakshmi] "[[The Hindu]]" 5 February 2015. Accessed 18 December 2015.</ref>

== Acting career ==
Vijayalakshmi's debut film performance was in S. K Chaari's film, ''[[Marumakal]]'' (1952). In 1959, she acted in a character role and danced in the [[Telugu language]] film ''Sipayi Kuthuru''. This involved training and performing in a modified classical dance style.<ref name="thehindu1"/> Vijayalakshmi's beauty and dance skill made her suitable for that film and other films of the time and so she became very well known. She was cast with [[N. T. Rama Rao|NTR]], [[Akkineni Nageswara Rao|ANR]] and other well-known performers.

Vijayalakshmi was also cast in many [[Malayalam language]] movies. Three of these were with [[Prem Nazir]] and others were with Jnana Sundari, [[Laila Majnu]] and [[Sathya Bhama]]. In [[Tamil films]], Vijayalakshmi was cast with actors such as [[M. G. Ramachandran]], [[Sivaji Ganesan]], [[Jaishankar]], [[Gemini Ganesan]], [[R. Muthuraman]] and [[Ravichandran (Tamil actor)|Ravichandran]].<ref name="thehindu1"/>

Many of Vijayalakshmi's films included the [[Bhangra (dance)|Bhangra]] dance form. One such film is ''[[Kudiyirundha Koyil]]'', which features the song, ''Aadaludan Paadalai Kettu Rasipathilethan Sugam Sugam'', with MGR in her partner role.<ref name="thehindu2">Narasimhan T. A. [http://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/tp-national/tp-tamilnadu/mgr-learnt-bangra-for-month-to-dance-with-l-vijayalakshmi/article1973346.ece Magr learnt the Bhangra for a month to dance with Vijayalakshmi] "[[The Hindu]]" 24 December 2007. Accessed 18 December 2015</ref>

Vijayalakshmi's Tamil language film debut was ''[[Paadhai Theriyudhu Paar]]'' (1960), and she has also acted in "Aalukkoru Veedu". Although it won a [[National Film Award for Best Feature Film in Tamil]], the movie was not a commercial success. Some suggested Vijaylakshmi should have danced in this movie, but the director indicated she had not because her character did not know how to dance.<ref name="thehindu1"/>

In 1964, Vijayalakshmi was cast in the [[S. Balachandar]] movie ''[[Bommai]]'', a [[Tamil language|Tamil]] [[suspense]] [[thriller (genre)|thriller]]. It was shown for at least 100 days in [[Madras]] theatres. ''[[Ooty Varai Uravu]]'' (1967) directed by C.V.Sridhar was one of her most popular Tamil Movies.

== Personal life ==
Whilst shooting ''[[Ooty Varai Uravu]]'' Vijayalakshmi was married to her brother's friend, [[Surajit Kumar De Datta|Surajit Kumar De Dutta]], an [[agricultural science|agricultural scientist]] working in [[Philippines]] in 1969.<ref name="thehindu1"/> After her marriage, Vijayalakshmi took the Benores Hindu matriculation exam as a private candidate.<ref name="thehindu1"/> In 1969, she moved to [[Manila]], [[Philippines]]. In 1977, when [[Morarji Desai]], the [[prime minister]] of [[India]] (1977 - 1979) visited [[Manila]], the [[India]]n [[Embassy]] asked Vijayalakshmi to dance at an official function. In 1991, Vijayalakshmi moved to the [[United States]]. She became an [[auditor]] and was employed as a budgeting officer at [[Virginia Polytechnic University]].

After marriage, she did Matriculation from Banaras Hindu University and BSc in Madras University through correspondence. As time rolled by she moved from Manila to Blacksburg, Virginia.

She pursued Masters in Accounting and CPA (Certified Public Accounting equal to CA in India) in Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, commonly known as Virginia Tech Blacksburg, Virginia. Now she is residing Davis,California where her only son having own Software Company at Silicon Valley.

== Filmography ==
=== Telugu ===
* ''[[Jagadekaveeruni Katha]]'' (1961)
* ''[[Aradhana (1962 film)|Aradhana]]'' (1962)
* ''[[Mahamantri Timmarusu (film)|Mahamantri Thmmarusu]]'' (1962)
* ''[[Srikakula Andhra Mahavishnu Katha]]'' (1962)
* ''[[Narthanasala]]'' (1963)
* ''[[Punarjanma (1963 film)|Punarjanma]]'' (1963)
* ''[[Gundamma Katha]]'' (1962)
* ''[[Pujaphalam]]'' (1964)
* ''[[Bhabruvahana]]'' (1964)
* ''[[Bobbili Yuddham]]'' (1964)
* ''[[Ramudu Bheemudu]]'' (1964)
* ''[[Mangamma Sapatham (1965 film)|Mangamma Sapatham]]'' (1965)
* ''[[Pandava Vanavasamu]]'' (1965)
* ''[[Paramanandayya Sishyula Katha]]'' (1966)
* ''[[Pidugu Ramudu]]'' (1966)
* ''[[Aata Bommalu]]'' (1966)
* ''[[Srikrishnaavataaram]]'' (1967)
* ''[[Kanchukota]]'' (1967)
* ''[[Bhakta Prahlada (1967 film)|Bhakta Prahlada]]'' (1967)
* ''[[Sipayi Chinnayya]]'' (1969)

=== Malayalam ===
* ''Jnaanasundari'' (1961)
* ''[[Laila Majnu (1962 film)|Laila Majnu]]'' (1962)
* ''Snaapaka Yohannaan'' (1963)
* ''Sathyabhaama'' (1963)

=== Tamil ===
{| class="wikitable"
|-
! Year !! Movie !! Character/song
|-
| 1959 || ''[[Panchaali]]''||
|-
| 1960 || ''[[Kavalai Illaadha Manithan]]'' || Sevvanthi
|-
| 1960 || ''[[Aalukkoru Veedu]]'' ||
|-
| 1960 || ''[[Petra Manam]]'' ||
|-
| 1960 || ''[[Paadhai Theriyudhu Paar]]'' || Movie won [[National Film Award for Best Feature Film in Tamil]]
|-
| 1960 || ''[[Kalathur Kannamma]]'' || Dancer
|-
| 1960 || ''[[Ponni Thirunaal]]'' || Dancer (Nattukor Thandhaiyadi)
|-
| 1961 || ''[[Marutha Nattu Veeran]]'' || Dancer
|-
| 1961 || ''[[Thayilla Pillai (1961 film)|Thayilla Pillai]]'' || Suguna
|-
| 1962 || ''[[Manithan Maravillai]]'' || Padma
|-
| 1962 || ''[[Mahaveera Bheeman]]'' ||
|-
| 1962 || ''[[Sumaithaangi]]'' || [[Gemini Ganesan]]'s sister
|-
| 1963 || ''[[Koduthu Vaithaval]]'' || Nalini
|-
| 1964 || ''[[Bommai]]'' || Mallika
|-
| 1964 || ''[[En Kadamai]]'' ||
|-
| 1965 || ''[[Enga Veetu Pillai]]'' || Kangalum Kavadi Sinthagattum - Dance
|-
| 1965 || ''[[Oru Viral]]'' ||
|-
| 1965 || ''[[Aayirathil Oruvan (1965 film)|Aayirathil Oruvan]]'' || [[M.N. Nambiar]]'s wife
|-
| 1965 || ''[[Panchavarna Kili]]'' || Azhagan Muruganidam - Dance
|-
| 1965 || ''[[Kakkum Karangal]]'' || Vijayalakshmi
|-
| 1966 || ''[[Vallavan Oruvan]]'' || Thara
|-
| 1966 || ''[[Naam Moovar]]'' ||
|-
| 1966 || ''[[Mahakavi Kalidas (1966 film)|Mahakavi Kalidas]]'' ||
|-
| 1966 || ''[[Iru Vallavargal (1966 film)|Iru Vallavargal]]'' || Rani
|-
| 1967 || ''[[Sabash Thambi]]'' || Shanthi
|-
| 1967 || ''[[Ethirigal Jakkirathai]]'' || Prabha
|-
| 1967 || ''[[Ooty Varai Uravu]]'' || Vijaya
|-
| 1967 || ''[[Bhavani]]'' ||
|-
| 1968 || ''[[Kudiyirundha Koyil]]'' || ''Aadaludan Paadalai'' - Dance
|-
| 1969|| ''[[Noorandu Kalam Vazhga]]'' ||
|-
| 1971 || ''[[Sabatham]]'' || ''Aadum Alaigalil '' Draupadi - Dance
|}

=== Hindi ===
* ''[[Aah (film)|Aah]]'' (1953) Dancer in the song "sunte the Naam ham"
* ''Husn Aur Ishq'' (1966)
* ''Baadal'' (1966)
* ''[[Alibaba Aur 40 Chor (1966 film)|Alibaba and the Forty Thieves]]'' (1966)
* ''[[Shabnam (1964 film)|Shabnam]]'' (1964)

== References ==
{{Reflist}}

== External links ==
*{{IMDb name|0478352}}

{{authority control}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Vijayalakshmi, L.}}
[[Category:Actresses in Kannada cinema]]
[[Category:Actresses in Malayalam cinema]]
[[Category:Actresses in Tamil cinema]]
[[Category:Actresses in Telugu cinema]]
[[Category:Indian film actresses]]
[[Category:Actresses from Kochi]]
[[Category:Actresses in Hindi cinema]]
[[Category:20th-century Indian actresses]]
[[Category:1943 births]]
[[Category:Living people]]

L. Vijayalakshmi - Revision history

imported>Kailash29792 at 03:07, 26 July 2021