Vaikom Vijayalakshmi’s National Award follows journey through blindness and freedom

When Vaikom Vijayalakshmi walked up to receive the National Award for Best Female Playback Singer, the moment marked recognition for a voice that millions have heard. But behind that voice is a woman who has spent much of her life negotiating something far more personal: how the world sees a person who cannot see it.Vijayalakshmi received the National Award for Best Female Playback Singer for “Angu Vaana Konilu” from Ajayante Randam Moshanam at the 72nd National Film Awards. The recognition came years after she entered the playback singing industry, but the award is only one part of a journey that has included professional success, repeated attempts to find a treatment for her blindness, insensitive encounters with strangers and a marriage she eventually chose to leave.Speaking to TOI after the national award was announced, Vijayalakshmi said the song’s words had particular meaning for her. “The lyrics ‘Uyarnnu Vaa... Uyarnnu Vaa...