Kottayam: "The very song that inspired me has won me the National Award. I am immensely happy," said singer Vaikom Vijayalakshmi, reacting to the National Film Award for Best Female Playback Singer.

"The lyrics 'Uyarnnu Vaa... Uyarnnu Vaa... Break every barrier and rise... Conquer the world and rise...' always fill me with the strength to move forward. I, too, have overcome countless obstacles to reach where I am today," she said.

Vijayalakshmi expressed her gratitude to Vaikathappan, Adi Parashakti, and her family deity for the honour.

"I was delighted to learn that Mammookka (Mammootty) has also won the National Award for Best Actor. It made me think of the pride of two people from Vaikom receiving national honours. I tried calling him, but couldn't get through. I want to share my happiness with him and congratulate him," she said.

She also thanked composer Deepu Ninan Thomas for the award-winning song.

"I love this song. But for me, nothing can surpass 'Kaatte Kaatte...', the song from Celluloid that gave me my first opportunity in cinema. I also hope to work with maestros Ilaiyaraaja and A.R. Rahman someday," she added.

Vaikom Vijayalakshmi is widely admired for overcoming visual impairment through her extraordinary musical talent. She is daughter of V Muralidharan and PK Vimala from Udayanapuram in Vaikom. She entered the world of music at the age of 5 and received her training under Kalyanasundaram, the guru of legendary singer KJ Yesudas, at the Tripunithura Music College. She is also proficient in playing the rare Gayathri Veena.

She won the Kerala State Film Award for Best Female Playback Singer for the song "Ottaykku Paadunna Poonkuyile...". Her accolades also include the Kala Shri Award from the Kerala Sangeetha Nataka Akademi and a Special Jury Mention at the 2012 Kerala State Film Awards.

Vijayalakshmi has recorded more than 200 songs in Malayalam, Tamil, Telugu, Kannada, Hindi, Bengali and Sanskrit. Earlier this year, she also won the Tamil Nadu State Film Award for the song "Aaravalli" from the Tamil film Velainu Vandhutta Vellaikaaran.