Vijayalakshmi

Vijayalakshmi (born 2 August 1960) is a Malayalam–language poet from the South Indian state of Kerala.

Life Vijayalakshmi was born on 2 August 1960 in Mulanthuruthy village in Ernakulam district as the daughter of Kuzhikkattil Raman Velayudhan and Kamalakshi. She completed her education from Chottanikkara Government High School, St. Teresa's College, Ernakulam and Maharajas College. She completed her graduation in Biology and obtained her masters in Malayalam literature with a first rank from Kerala University. She is married to Balachandran Chullikkadu, a known Malayalam poet.

Literary career Her poem was first published in 1977 in Kalakaumudi weekly. During her graduation period, she won prizes in the Kerala University Youth Festival in story-writing and poetry.

She has published numerous poems in Malayalam. She was a member of the Executive Committee and General Council of Kerala Sahitya Akademi. She has also held various other posts in the Academy, such as its Advisory Board Member and the Convener of its Publication Committee. She also served as Vice President of the Samastha Kerala Sahitya Parishad.

Many of Vijayalakshmi's poems try to establish gender-equality and question the dichotomy on women. Literary critic M. Leelavathy lauds the concept of feminism in Vijayalakshmi as a continuation of the feminism of the Malayalam poet Balamani Amma.

Works Mrigasikshakan (1992, Mulberry Publications, Calicut) Thachante Makal (1992, DC Books, Kottayam) Mazhathan Mattetho Mukham (1999, DC Books, Kottayam) Himasamadhi (2001, DC Books, Kottayam) Anthyapralobhanam (2002, DC Books, Kottayam) Ottamanalthari (2003, DC Books, Kottayam) Anna Akhmatovayude Kavithakal (2001, DC Books, Kottayam, Trans.) Andhakanyaka (2006, DC Books, Kottayam) Mazhaykkappuram (2010) (2010, DC Books, Kottayam) Vijayalakshmiyude Kavithakal (2010, DC Books, Kottayam) Jnana Magdalena (2013, DC Books, Kottayam) Seethadarsanam (2016, DC Books, Kottayam) Vijayalakshmiyude Pranayakavithakal (2018, DC Books, Kottayam)

Awards

1992: Lalithambika Sahitya Award 1990: Ankanam Sahitya Award 1994: Kerala Sahitya Akademi Award 1995: Vyloppilly Award 1995: Changampuzha Award 1995: Indira Gandhi Sahitya Award 1997: V. T. Bhattathirippad Award 2001: P. Kunhiraman Nair Award for Mazhathan Mattetho Mukham 2010: Bala Sahitya Institute Award 2010: Ulloor Award 2011: A. Ayyappan Poetry Award 2011: Krishnageethi Award 2013: Library Council Literary Award 2013: O. V. Vijayan Sahitya Puraskaram for Vijayalakshmiyude Kavithakal