K. R. Vijaya
K.R.Vijaya | |
|---|---|
| Occupation | Actress |
| Years active | 1963-Present |
| Spouse | R Velayuthan |
K. R. Vijaya is a popular Indian actress who has performed in Tamil and Malayalam language films. She started her career in 1960s. She has acted for more than four decades in South Indian cinema. K.R. Vijaya has worked with almost all the stalwarts of cinema, and played a variety of roles.[1]
Early life
K.R.Vijaya was born in Kerala, like her mother. Her father was from Andhra Pradesh[2]. Though born in Kerala, she spent most of her childhood in the holy Palani. K.R.Vijaya's father wanted her to become an actress, since he was acting in M.K.Radha's drama troupe at the time.
A Promising Start
K.R.Vijaya used to dance and act on stage. Television had only just come then, so they showed her performances on the television kept in a corner of the stage. Once, when she was dancing in Chennai, the actor Gemini Ganesan was present. He enjoyed her performance and said she had a good chance of becoming famous as a film star. And he was right.
Career
K.R.Vijaya's mother was from Kerala and her father from Andhra Pradesh. K.R Vijaya was born in Kerala. But, when she was young, spent most of her days in Palani. As her father was acting in M.K. Radha's drama troupe, he wanted her to act in films and make it big in the field.[3]
K.R Vijaya used to act and dance on stage. At that time, television was an object of fancy (though telecasts came much later). she would dance on stage, and the performance would be shown on a TV kept on one side of the stage.
Actor Gemini Ganesan was present when one such television dance show was staged in Chennai. He liked K.R Vijaya's performance and said she had the chance to become a film star. And it turned out to be the hero in her debut film Karpagam, directed by K. S. Gopalakrishnan.
K.R.Vijaya made her debut in the 1963 film Karpagam, directed by K. S. Gopalakrishnan. She played a main part. Soon, she had done many other films.
It was in 1973 that she received the title of `Punnagai Arasi' in Tiruchirapalli, India. To have a good smile one needs to have good teeth, and she had that asset, thanks to her long time dentist Dr. Janakiraman. He is also a consultant for other celebrities from the South Indian filmdom and in Hindi too.
K.R Vijaya has starred in almost 400 films in all the South Indian languages, including 100 films each in Malayalam and Telugu, and half-a-dozen in Kannada, and one in Hindi titled Oonche Log. Her co-stars in the Hindi movie were RajKumar and Feroz Khan. She received more offers in Hindi, but did not accept them as she was busy in the South.
If she were to pick the best of her films, the list would include Karpagam, Selvam, Saraswathi Sabadham, Nenchirukkum Varai, Namma Veetu Theivam (this was the movie in which she first started depicting deities), Dheergasumangali (K.R Vijaya first started playing a mother in this film), Idhayakamalam, Thangapathakkam, Thirusoolam ... The list is long.
Without a doubt, K.R Vijaya liked Sivaji Ganesan's acting and the way MGR behaved with people and respected others. She like Jai Shankar, Muthuraman and quite a few others. She liked all the actresses. She is a fan of Pappima (Padmini), Vyjayanthimala, Saroja Devi and Savithri.
The director "who gave her life" K. S. Gopalakrishnan directed her in her 100th film Nathaiyil Muthu. There was abig celebration. All the VVIPs were present, including MGR, Sivaji Ganesan, Kannada actor Rajkumar, A.V. Meiyappa Chettiar, and others. K.R Vijaya become nostalgic when she looks at the photographs of the function now. Another unforgettable incident was the time when her husband and she presented a golden crown to Lord Iyyappan, the Urchavamoorthy of the Lord came to her house. That was another memorable occasion.
Looking back she feel that she must thank God for giving her more than she needs, and the very best in life and films. K.R Vijaya was privileged to work with some very good directors, co-stars and technicians. She is happy and contended. She will keep acting until she is unable to work anymore. She also acts in the suntv teleserial Raja Rajeswari.[4]
In 1973, she received the title "Punnagai Arasi", meaning in Tamil (தமிழ்), Queen Of Smiles. Her smile was well known when she acted, and her fame is partly achieved with that. She thanks her dentist Dr.Janakiraman for her smile.
Her films in South Indian languages make a grand total of almost 400. She has done 100 in Malayalam, 100 in Telugu, 6 in Kannada, 1 in Hindi, and about 193 in Tamil. The Hindi film was titled, "Oonche Log", and her co-stars were Raaj Kumar and Feroz Khan. She received more offers in Hindi, but declined, for she was busy in the South.
Extras
If she picked the best of her films, the list would include: Karpagam, Selvam, Saraswathi Sabatham, Nenchirukkum Varai, Namma Veetu, Theivam, Dheergasumangali, Idhayakamalam, Thangapatthakam and Thirusoolam.
She maybe an actress, but she is a fan too. She likes the films of Sivaji Ganesan,M. G. Ramachandran, Jai Shankar, R. Muthuraman, Padmini, Vyjayanthimala, Saroja Devi and Savithri.
K. S. Gopalakrishnan directed K.R.Vijaya's 100th film, Nathayil Muthu. There was quite a celebration. The VVIPS were there, and Sivaji Ganesan, M. G. Ramachandran, Rajkumar, A.V.Meiyappa Chettiar and others were present as well. She says looking at the photos of the function triggers her memory.
She feels happy with her occupation and says she will continue to work until she can work no more.[5]
Filmography
For the list all films in which K. R. Vijaya has performed please see K. R. Vijaya filmography. Other than films she has even performed in two teleserials.
Television Serials:
- Kudumbam (1998) (Sun TV teleserial)
- Raja Rajeswari
References
- ^ http://www.hindu.com/2006/07/06/stories/2006070616070200.htm
- ^ "Interview for [[Hindu Times]]". 2006-07-06. Retrieved 2008-11-23.
{{cite web}}: URL–wikilink conflict (help) - ^ http://www.imdb.com/name/nm1555772/
- ^ http://earlytollywood.blogspot.com/2008/01/k-r-vijaya.html
- ^ http://earlytollywood.blogspot.com/2008/01/k-r-vijaya.html
External Links
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