Vaikom Vijayalakshmi has received the Best Female Playback Singer honour at the 72nd National Film Awards for her soulful rendition of “Angu Vaana Konilu” from ARM. The award marks a major achievement in the singer’s career and adds another special moment for Malayalam cinema at this year’s National Awards.
The song, composed by Dhibu Ninan Thomas with lyrics by Manu Manjith, featured in Ajayante Randam Moshanam, popularly known as ARM. The film, directed by Jithin Laal and starring Tovino Thomas, explored a fantasy adventure across three different time periods. “Angu Vaana Konilu” stood out for its soothing and emotional quality, with Vijayalakshmi’s voice adding to the mood of the song.
For Vaikom Vijayalakshmi, the National Award is particularly meaningful. She was born blind, but music became her strongest form of expression from a very young age. Her journey as a singer has seen her establish herself through her distinctive voice, classical training and performances across different musical platforms.
At the National Film Awards ceremony, her achievement became an emotional moment as she received the honour and was met with a standing ovation. The recognition brought attention not to her visual impairment, but to the musical journey through which she has connected with listeners for years.
“Angu Vaana Konilu” now becomes another important milestone in that journey. The National Award celebrates the voice behind the song and the artistry that allowed the rendition to leave an impact on listeners.
This is also Vaikom Vijayalakshmi’s first National Film Award, making the moment even more special. Her win, alongside Mammootty’s Best Actor honour and other Malayalam cinema recognitions, adds to a memorable day for the industry at the 72nd National Film Awards.