The lullaby that earned Vaikom Vijayalakshmi her maiden national award

For Vaikom Vijayalakshmi, every milestone arrives in its own time. More than a decade after her distinctive voice first captivated Malayalam cinema, the singer has won her maiden National Film Award. The honour comes for her soulful rendition of the lullaby 'Angu Vaana Konilile' from A.R.M., a song that has now earned her the Best Female Playback Singer award at the 72nd National Film Awards. Feature film jury chairperson Jayaraj said Vijayalakshmi's category included leading singers such as Shreya Ghoshal, making her win even more significant.

If 'Katte Katte' from Prithviraj-starrer 'Celluloid' introduced her to Malayalam cinema and fetched her a State Award Special Mention, it is this powerful lullaby that has finally brought home the national film honour. "If you ask me whether this award has come at the right time or a little late, I would quote Sreenivasan sir's famous dialogue from Nadodikkattu: 'Ellathinum athinteyaya samayundu, Dasa' (Everything has its own time, Dasan)," she tells Onmanorama over the phone.

The singer reveals that the team behind 'A.R.M.' had quietly believed the song was destined for national recognition, even after it was overlooked at the Kerala State Film Awards. "When the song didn't receive any recognition at the State Awards, we told each other that we'd try our luck at the National Awards. Dhibu chettan (music composer Dhibu Ninan Thomas) and the rest of the team were confident that the song would win. I'm so happy that it has finally happened," she said.

Vijayalakshmi recalls having a special feeling about the song from the day she recorded it. "I knew it had something unique. There was a certain flavour and emotion in it that made me believe people would connect with it."

Since making her film debut with 'Celluloid,' Vijayalakshmi has built a remarkable repertoire with songs such as 'Parudaya Mariyame' in 'Kattapaneyille Rithwik Roshan' and Kaikottum Kandittilla from 'Oru Vadakkan Selfie,' her unmistakable voice lending depth and authenticity to every composition. She received a State Award Special Mention for 'Kaatte Kaatte' before winning the Kerala State Film Award for Best Female Playback Singer for Ottaykku Paadunna from Nadan. Introduced to film music by director Kamal and composer M. Jayachandran, Vijayalakshmi has steadily carved a place for herself as one of Malayalam cinema's most distinctive voices.