Malappuram: Drama actress Vijayalakshmi (83) passed away due to age-related diseases. She won the State Government Award for Best Supporting Actress in 1980. Children: Vijayakumar, Asha, Santhosh Kumar. In-laws: Karthikeyan, Anitha and Mini. The funeral will be held on Wednesday morning at 10 am at the municipal gas crematorium.

Vijayalakshmi was born on June 29, 1940 in Kozhikode. Father Parangodan, mother Kalyani. Vijayalakshmi, who lost her father when she was two years old, was brought up by her mother. Vijayalakshmi, who showed artistic taste in her childhood, studied dance and music while studying at West Hill Chungam UP School, Kozhikode and later at Providence School. Due to financial difficulties, she had to give up her studies, but continued her artistic career.

Relatives were opposed to her career as an artist, but she carried on nonetheless. At the age of 12, she portrayed the role of an old woman in the play 'Thottakaran' performed at Kozhikode Town Hall. After that she also acted in the play 'Karagraham' written by V T Induchoodan. Later, she became active in theater by performing many notable roles in plays like 'Velicham Vilakkanveshikkunnu', 'Manushyan Karagrahathilaanu', 'Chuvanna Ghatikaram', 'Srishthi Sthithi Samharam', 'Sanathanam', and 'Samanvayam' for 'Pratibha Arts' and 'Experimental Theatres'.