People

Vaikom Vijaylakshmi: An Exceptional Talent!

A True Artist!

Vaikom Vijaylakshmi, a playback singer and an expert in playing a rare musical instrument called Gayatriveena. Vijaylakshmi garnered audiences across states for her unique voice. Her songs like kodaiyila, kakka muttai, en jeevan and many others are forever etched in the hearts of music lovers.

Her story is known to people, she was born visually impaired  in Kerala. Her way to a regular life was hindered by her birth defect, but despite this, fate had created a different door of possibility for her in the world of music. She has a voice that is unique and mesmerizing.

Her Early Years

Vijaylakshmi  was born on Vijaydashmi day, which is celebrated for new beginnings. Ilayaraja and MS Vishwanathan’s music were the staples of Vjayalakshmi. Later on, she was able to sing a song just as she had heard it for the first time, with all the little details just seeming to be in place.Her parents gave her music CDs by K J Yesudas because they saw potential in her and knew how much Vijayalakshmi loved his music.In less than a year she had picked up more than 100 ragas, and composed her own songs.It was an incredible feat given that she was not formally trained in music by any Guru.Her alapana and swara delineation got better on their own day by day without the guidance of a teacher. She considered Jesudas as her guru and performed in his presence at Chathamkudi temple in Vaikhom.


Her Achievements 

Despite her hindrances, she was able to achieve her goals and pursue her aspirations, which she eventually succeeded in. She gained recognition and had her career effectively identified with the song Katte Katte, which was in the film Celluloid. A special mention was given to the song by the jury. By the next ten years, she had performed over 400 shows in Chennai, Madurai, Tanjore, Coimbatore and other metropolitan cities of the country.She also sang in temples and in movies by singing for over 20 movies and grabbed award by award.She is also acted in 2 movies Swami Saranam and ezhu deshangalkumakale. After her singing in celluloid, she was introduced in Tamil industry too and her first song in Tamil kodayila from cuckoo was instantly appreciated by the audience and then she proceeded to sing more songs in Tamil. She frequently collaborated with music director D.Imman.As of now she has sung more than 20 Tamil songs and few telugu songs as well. 

Her True Wish

When you ask her about the one desire she is most passionate about, making it possible will simply wrenches your guts.She wants to see the world, which she sings for, and her audience who appreciate her.She is keen on seeing the world at least once. She is currently searching for a procedure that would allow her to have Bionic eyes placed in her sockets.

Her Achievements

She won various accolades. For the songs Katte Katte from Celluloid and Ottakku Padunna from Nadan, she received the Kerala State Film Award (Special Jury Mention) in 2001 and the Kerala State Film Award for Best Singer in 2013.