K. R. Vijaya

Deivanayaki, better known by her stage name K. R. Vijaya, is an Indian actress who has featured in Tamil, Malayalam, Telugu and Kannada films. She started her career in 1963 and has been acting for more than six decades in South Indian cinema. The actress has worked with almost all the stalwarts of South Indian cinema and has played many key roles.

Early life Vijaya was born as Deivanayaki, the eldest child of Telugu parents Ramachandra Rao and Kalyani in Chennai, Tamil Nadu. Her father was in the army and her mother was a housewife. She has a younger brother, Narayanan and three younger sisters, K. R. Vatsala, K. R. Savithri and Radha. She had her primary education at Government Higher Secondary School, Adyar, Chennai. Her father wanted her to become an actress since he was himself acting in M. R. Radha's drama troupe at the time after retiring from army. She made her film debut with Karpagam in 1963. She was the first ever actress to own a private jet.

Personal life She married a businessman, Madathil Velayuthan in 1966. Her husband was the CEO of Sudarshan trading company and a movie producer. The couple have a daughter Hemalatha (born 1967). M. Velayuthan died on 26 March 2016, aged 82.

Career Vijaya's first break itself was as a heroine in her debut film Karpagam (1963). Her notable films include Idhaya Kamalam (1965), Odayil Ninnu (1965), Saraswathi Sabatham (1966), Selvam (1966), Nenjirukkum Varai (1967), Iru Malargal (1967), Namma Veettu Deivam (1970), Dheerga Sumangali (1974), Thangappathakkam (1974), Thirisoolam (1979) and Ithiri Poove Chuvannapoove (1984). In the year 1967 she had a distinct record of starring in 18 films in lead role besides giving birth to her daughter in the same year.

She has appeared opposite top heroes like MGR, Sivaji Ganesan and Gemini Ganesan.

She was called the "Punnagai Arasi" (Queen of the smiles - in Tamil) by her fans at a function held in Trichy. Vijaya was always the first choice of directors to portray the roles of Hindu goddesses due to her looks which was similar to conventional depictions. Apart from her essaying the role of Goddess Shakti in Mel Maruvathoor Arpudhangal (1986), she essayed the Mariamman avatar in the film Mahasakthi Mariamman (1986) and Kandhan Karunai (1967). K R Vijaya reminisces about her first director "who gave her life" K. S. Gopalakrishnan who also directed her in her 100th film Nathayil Muthu (1973). Apart from acting in many films, she has also acted in Raja Rajeswari and Kudumbam, two teleserials.

Vijaya returned to a mythological role in Sri Rama Rajyam (2011). K.R Vijaya also played Kausalya for the first time in Bapu's mythological extravaganza. She has acted in over 500 films.

Awards Satyabama College 2009 - Doctorate

Nandi Awards 1989 - Nandi Special Jury Award for Sutradharulu

Tamil Nadu State Film Awards 1967 - Best Actress for Iru Malargal 1970 - Best Actress for Namma Veetu Dheivam

Filmfare Awards South 1974 - Filmfare Special Award - South for Dheerga Sumangali 2004 - Lifetime Achievement Award

Kerala State Film Awards 1984 - Second Best Actress - Ithiri Poove Chuvannapoove Kerala Film Critics Association Awards 2013: Chalachitra Rathnam Award Janmabhoomi Television Awards 2018: Best Character Actress - Sathyam Sivam Sundaram Other Awards 2013: Nagi Reddy Memorial Awards 2017: Congress Managalir Awards 2019: Nakshathira Sathanaiyalar 2019

Filmography

Television serials