K. R. Vijaya

Last updated

K. R. Vijaya
Born
Deivanayaki

Other namesPunnagai Arasi
OccupationActress
Years active1963-1966
1969–present
Spouse
Sudarshan Velayuthan
(m. 1966;died 2016)
ChildrenHemalatha (b.1967)
Relatives K. R. Savithri
K.R. Vatsala

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 five decades in South Indian cinema. The actress has worked with almost all the stalwarts of South Indian cinema and has played many key roles. [1]

Contents

Early life

Vijaya was born as Deivanayaki, eldest children to Ramachandra Nair and Kalyani at Chennai, Tamil Nadu, Dominion of India. Her father was in the army and her mother was a housewife. She has a younger brother, Narayanan and four younger sisters, K. R. Vatsala, K. R. Savithri, Sashikala and Radha. She had her primary education at Government Higher Secondary School, Adyar, Chennai. [2] 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. [3]

Personal life

She married a businessman, Sudarshan Velayuthan Nair in 1966. Her husband was the CEO of Sudarshan trading company and a movie producer. The couple have a daughter Hemalatha (born 1967). [4] Velayuthan Nair died on 26 March 2016, aged 82. [3] [5]

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).

She was called as "Punnagai Arasi" (Queen of the smiles - in Tamil) by her fans at a function held in Trichy. [6] 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). [7] 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, that were telecast on television in both India and Sri Lanka.[ citation needed ]

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. [8] She has acted in over 500 films. [7]

Awards

Satyabama College
Nandi Awards [9]
Tamil Nadu State Film Awards
Filmfare Awards South
Kerala State Film Awards
Kerala Film Critics Association Awards
Janmabhoomi Television Awards
Other Awards

Filmography

Television serials

YearTitleChannelLanguageNotes
AdhiparasakthiRajshri Tamil Tamil as Devi
Pettamma Doordarshan Malayalam as Ambalika
Oorvashi Gemini TV Telugu
2000Daivathin Makkal Surya TV Malayalam
2000–2003Mangai Sun TV Tamil as Mangai
2001–2007Vikramadithian
2004 Anandham Special Appearance
2005–2007Raja Rajeswari
2006Sthree 2 Asianet Malayalam
2008–2009Namma Kudumbam Kalaignar TV Tamil
2008–2009Shree Krishna Leela Asianet Malayalam as Kurooramma
2009Shree Mahabhagavatham
2010–2012Devimahathmyam Asianet as Devakiyamma
2010–2011Adi Parasakthi Star Vijay Tamil
2011Shabarimala Shri Dharmashashtha Asianet Malayalam
2012–2016 Bhairavi Aavigalukku Priyamanaval Sun TV Tamil as Chintamani
2016–2018Sathyam Sivam Sundaram Amrita TV Malayalam as Valliamma
2020Ithikkarapakki Surya TV as pakki's umma
2021 Anbe Vaa Sun TV Tamil as Ulganayagi (Special Appearance)
2021-2022 Kanakanmani Surya TV Malayalam as Puthanmadathil Kadambariyamma
2023- present Madhanakamarajan YouTube Malayalam as Indràpuri muthassi

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Shobana</span> Bharatanatyam dancer

Shobana Chandrakumar Pillai is an Indian actress and Bharatanatyam dancer. She acts predominantly in Malayalam films along with Telugu and Tamil films with a few Hindi, Kannada and English films. She has won two National Film Awards, one Kerala State Film Awards, two Filmfare Awards South, with 14 Nominations for Best Actress Category in three different south Indian languages, Tamil Nadu State's Kalaimamani Award in 2011 and numerous other awards.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Trisha (actress)</span> Indian actress

Trisha Krishnan known professionally as Trisha, is an Indian actress who works predominantly in Tamil and Telugu films. She gained prominence after winning the 1999 Miss Chennai pageant, which marked her entry into the film industry. Trisha is a recipient of several accolades including five Filmfare Awards South, one Nandi Award, one Tamil Nadu State Film Award and seven South Indian International Movie Awards.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Savitri (actress)</span> Indian actress

Nissankara Savitri was an Indian actress, playback singer, and filmmaker known for her works primarily in Telugu and Tamil cinema. She also worked in a few Kannada, Hindi and Malayalam films. Savitri starred in more than 250 films over three decades. She was one of the highest-paid and most popular Indian actresses from the 1950s to early 70s, and is known by the epithets Mahanati and Nadigaiyar Thilagam. She is one of the most accomplished, versatile and respected actresses of South Indian film industry. She is known for her liveliness and her captivating performance and is still considered as the benchmark for acting in South Indian films.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Radha (actress)</span> Indian actress (born 1965)

Udaya Chandrika, better known by her screen/stage name Radha, is an Indian actress, who predominantly appears in Tamil and Telugu films in addition to a few Malayalam, Kannada and Hindi films. She was one of the top heroines in the film industry for about a decade; from 1981 to 1991.

Jayasudha Kapoor is an Indian actress and politician known for her works predominantly in Telugu and Tamil cinema. She has also worked in few Kannada, Malayalam, and Hindi films. Known as natural actress, she received nine state Nandi Awards for her acting in works such as Jyothi (1976), Idi Katha Kaadu (1979), Premabhishekam (1981), Meghasandesam (1982), and Dharmaatmudu (1983).

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Seema (actress)</span> Indian actress

Shanthakumari Nambiar, known by her stage name Seema, is an Indian actress. She has acted in 260 films in Malayalam, 25 in Tamil, 7 in Telugu, 6 in Kannada and one in Hindi. Vijayan gave her the screen name Seema.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Filmfare Award for Best Actress – Tamil</span>

The Filmfare Best Actress Award is given by the Filmfare magazine as part of its annual Filmfare Awards South for Tamil (Kollywood) films. The awards were extended to "Best Actress" in 1972. The year indicates the year of release of the film.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Vaali (poet)</span> Indian poet, lyricist, writer and actor (1931–2013)

Tiruchirapalli Srinivasan Rangarajan, professionally credited by his pseudonym Vaali was an Indian poet who has the record for writing the most number of songs in Tamil cinema. He is also recognised for a five-decade long association in the Tamil film industry and has written over 15,000 songs. He acted in a number of films, including Sathya, Hey Ram, Paarthale Paravasam and Poikkal Kudhirai. He was honoured by the Government of India with the Padma Shri, India's fourth highest civilian honour in 2007.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Sowcar Janaki</span> Indian actress (born 1931)

Sankaramanchi Janaki, popularly known as Shavukaru Janaki (Telugu) or Sowcar Janaki (Tamil) or Sahukar Janaki (Kannada), is an Indian actress who has appeared in over 300, films, predominantly in Telugu, Tamil, and Kannada languages. She also performed on stage in over 300 shows and was a radio artist during her earlier years. She is the recipient of two Nandi Awards, Kalaimamani and India's fourth-highest civilian award Padma Shri. Her younger sister Krishna Kumari, is also a noted actress.

Roja Ramani is an Indian actress who predominantly worked in Malayalam and Telugu films. She was a child actor and her debut movie was Bhakta Prahlada (1967) for which she received National Film Award for Best Child Artist. She was popular during the 1970s and early 1980s and haans acted in Malayalam, Telugu, Kannada and Tamil and Odia movies. She worked in 400 films as a dubbing artiste. She is an active member of BlueCross and is involved in several social service activities.

<i>Karpagam</i> 1963 film by K. S. Gopalakrishnan

Karpagam is a 1963 Indian Tamil-language drama film written and directed by K. S. Gopalakrishnan. The film features an ensemble cast including Gemini Ganesan, Savitri, S. V. Ranga Rao, M. R. Radha, R. Muthuraman, V. K. Ramasamy, V. Nagayya, Karikol Raju, Sheeladevi, K. R. Vijaya and Baby Shakila. In Karpagam, a rich farmer makes his newly married daughter (Vijaya) and her husband (Ganesan) live in his house to take care of his business. Problems arise when his estranged son (Muthuraman) starts to squander his money.

<i>Thulabharam</i> 1968 Indian film

Thulabharam is a 1968 Indian Malayalam-language film, directed by A. Vincent. It is based on the Kerala People's Arts Club play of the same name, written by Thoppil Bhasi. Thoppil Bhasi also adapted the play for the screen. The film had an ensemble cast including Prem Nazir, Sharada, Madhu, Sheela, Thikkurisi Sukumaran Nair and Adoor Bhasi. The film won two National Awards. The film was a major blockbuster and following the Malayalam version, the film was made in Tamil (Thulabharam), Telugu and Hindi, with Sharada playing lead roles in all versions.

Sumithra is an Indian actress. She has appeared in Tamil, Malayalam, Kannada and Telugu language films. She acted as the lead heroine in films between 1974 and 1986. She later started being known for her roles as a mother since the 1990s.

<i>Iru Malargal</i> 1967 film by A. C. Tirulokchandar

Iru Malargal is a 1967 Indian Tamil-language romantic drama film directed by A. C. Tirulogchander. The film stars Sivaji Ganesan, Padmini and K. R. Vijaya, with Nagesh, S. A. Ashokan, V. Nagayya, Manorama and Roja Ramani in supporting roles. It revolves around a man who faces upheavals in his life as he is caught between his lady-love and his devoted wife.

Harini is a former actress in the Kannada cinema. She was active during the 1950s and 1960s, retiring at the peak of her career. As of 2006 she lived in Bangalore.

Yaava Janmada Maitri is a 1972 Kannada language romantic drama film directed by Geethapriya and starring Gangadhar and Kalpana in the lead roles. The film is a direct screen adaptation of the novel "Jeevana Chaduranga" written by the novelist Ma. Bhi. She. Actress Vaishali Kasaravalli made her debut in this film, opposite comedian Narasimharaju. The film was remade in Telugu in 1973 as Sarada, in Tamil in 1973 as Radha and in Hindi in 1975 as Dulhan.

<i>Ithiri Poove Chuvannapoove</i> 0000 Indian film

Ithiri Poove Chuvannapoove is a 1984 Indian Malayalam-language film, directed by Bharathan, with story written by Thikkodiyan and produced by P. V. Gangadharan. The film stars Madhu, Mammootty, Rahman, K R Vijaya, Suresh and Shobhana. The film has musical score by Ravindran.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">B. V. Radha</span> Indian actress

Bengaluru Vijaya Radha, commonly known as B. V. Radha, was an Indian actress and film producer. She began her career in the 1964 Kannada film Navakoti Narayana. She went on to play mostly supporting roles in over 300 films, 250 of which were in Kannada, and the rest in Tamil, Telugu, Malayalam, Tulu and Hindi.

<i>Dheerga Sumangali</i> 1974 Tamil-language drama film

Dheerga Sumangali is a 1974 Indian Tamil-language drama film co-written and directed by A. C. Tirulokchandar. The film was produced by N. S. Rajendran under Visalakshi Combines and stars K. R. Vijaya and Muthuraman, while Major Sundarrajan, V. K. Ramasamy and Sivakumar play supporting roles. The film's soundtrack and background score were composed by M. S. Viswanathan, while the lyrics for the songs were written by Kannadasan and Vaali.

References

  1. "Senior Actress K.R Vijaya: Open Heart with RK- Promo | ap7am".
  2. "യവനികയിലെ മണവാട്ടി". mangalam.com. Archived from the original on 6 December 2016. Retrieved 7 December 2016.
  3. 1 2 Vandhana (24 September 2017). "'Back Then, There Was No Pressure To Maintain Our Waistlines': Interview With KR Vijaya". Silverscreen.in. Archived from the original on 7 February 2019. Retrieved 5 February 2019.
  4. The Illustrated Weekly of India. Published for the proprietors, Bennett, Coleman & Company, Limited, at the Times of India Press. 1988. Archived from the original on 12 October 2020. Retrieved 5 February 2019.
  5. S. N. Sadasivan (2000). A Social History of India. APH Publishing. pp. 679–682. ISBN   978-81-7648-170-0.
  6. "Kalyanamalai Magazine - Serial story, Thiraichuvai - Potpourri of titbits about Tamil cinema, K. R. Vijaya".
  7. 1 2 "Women's Day: From Ramya Krishnan to Nayanthara, actresses with divine presence on reel".
  8. "Screen goddess - The Hindu". The Hindu . 19 November 2011.
  9. "నంది అవార్డు విజేతల పరంపర (1964–2008)" [A series of Nandi Award Winners (1964–2008)](PDF). Information & Public Relations of Andhra Pradesh (in Telugu). 13 March 2010. Retrieved 22 January 2021.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  10. Reed, Sir Stanley (5 February 1980). "The Times of India Directory and Year Book Including Who's who". Bennett, Coleman & Company via Google Books.