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.
[2] Her father wanted her to become an actress since he was himself acting in M. R. Radha's drama troupe at the time after retiring from army.
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).
[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.