Deivanayaki, better known by her stage name K. R. Vijaya, is an Indian actress who has featured in Tamil, Malayalam, Telugu and Kannada films.
[1] Vijaya was born as Deivanayaki, eldest children to Malayali Parents Ramachandra Nair and Kalyani at Chennai, Tamil Nadu.
Her notable films include Idhaya Kamalam (1965), Odayil Ninnu (1965), Saraswathi Sabatham (1966), Selvam (1966), Nenjirukkum Varai (1967), Iru Malargal (1967), Namma Veettu Deivam (1970), Dheerga Sumangali (1974), Thangappathakkam (1974), Thirisoolam (1979) and Ithiri Poove Chuvannapoove (1984).
She was called as "Punnagai Arasi" (Queen of the smiles - in Tamil) by her fans at a function held in Trichy.
[6] Vijaya was always the first choice of directors to portray the roles of Hindu goddesses due to her looks which was similar to conventional depictions.