L. Vijayalakshmi

L. Vijayalakshmi Datta
Born	Vijayalakshmi Lakshmanan Ernakulam , Tirunelveli, British India, (now in Tamil Nadu, India)
Residence	Virginia, United States of America
Other names	L. Vijayalakshmi, Vijayalakshmi, Viji, Vijayalakshmi Datta
Occupation	Film actress, Indian Classical Dancer, Budgeting Officer in Virginia Polytechnic University
Years active	1952 to present
Spouse(s)	Surajit Kumar De Datta (m. 1969)
Children	Raj Kumar De Datta
Parent(s)	Lakshmanan (father)

L. Vijayalakshmi(தமிழ்: எல். விஜயலட்சுமி) is an Indian film actress and classical dancer whose career was in the 1960s and 1970s. She appeared in Malayalam, Tamil, Kannada, Telugu and Hindi films. Her debut film was Marumakal (1952).

"I remember I used to take bus route 21C to Ramaiah Pillai house. Often lessons went on for six hours. E. V. Saroja was learning from him too that time.

Vijayalakshmi was born in Ernakulam and was raised in Tirunelveli. Her family then moved to Pune. There, at six years, Vijayalakshmi, was inspired when she saw Vyjayanthimala, Lalitha and Padmini dance at the South Indian Association and she would practice dancing in the backyard of her house. Vijayalakshmi's father noticed her talent for dancing and sent her to a mentor, Sukumara Pillai.

Vijayalakshmi's first performance was at a temple in Andhra Pradesh when she was nine years old. When Vijayalakshmi needed advanced dance training the discipline of Bharathanatyam, her family moved to Madras. They lived in South Mada Street, Mylapore and Vijayalakshmi was mentored by Kamala.

Then, quite by accident when walking near the Kapaleeswarar Temple Vijayalakshmi met K. J. Sarasa who sent her to the dance teacher, Vazhuvoor Ramaiah Pillai. E. V. Saroja was also his student. Ten months later, on 28 October 1955, Vijayalakshmi gave her arangetram (debut) at the Rasika Rajya Sabha (a cultural organisation hall).

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