Artist Information Lalgudi Vijayalakshmi hails from a family that is deeply rooted in music for the last five generations. She is the daughter of Shri Lalgudi Jayaraman, the legendary musician and composer. She is a leading exponent of the Lalgudi style, which is characterized by boundless innovation while strictly adhering the tradition and eloquently capturing the mood and essence of any composition.   Vijayalakshmi grew up in an atmosphere reverberating with rich music. When only two, she could identify the slofa syllables in any musical phrase. She commenced her lessons at age of six under the watchful eyes of her perfectionist father. At thirteen, she went on stage for the first time with her father. Since then,she has been performing regularly in violin duets and trios with her father. Shri Lalgudi Jayaraman and brother Krishnan. Over the years, she has blossomed into a mature artiste in her own right. She has travelled widely on concert tours both in India and abroad, and has performed in countries like the U.S.A, Canada, the U.K., Malaysia, Singapore, Russia, Indonesia and Middle East.   Vijayalakshmi also has the credit of having led the musical ensemble of the Violin, the Venu or flute and the Veena.  This is a concept originally introduced by Shri Lalgudi Jayaraman.  Vijayalakshmi has led this ensemble in over 50 concerts all over India.  Her talent and industry have won her recognition in the form of several awards and  titles.  In 1979, she was adjudged the Best Junior Instrumentalist by the Sri Krishna Gana  Sabha in Madras.  In 1990, she was conferred the Creatalent  award in recognition of their music.  In 1993, she received the Yuva Kala Bharati form Bharat Kalachar. Recently, in September 1998, Vijaylakshmi received the 'Kalki Krishnamoorthy Memorial Award' at chennai in the Kalki Krishnamoorthy Centenary year from the 'Kalki Krishnamoorthy Memorial Trust.   In recent years, she has  also provided superb violin accompaniment to several leading musicians. She has also given several vocal concerts on stage as well as over the All India Radio, and is beginning to make her mark as a vocalist as well.  She has also lent her voice to a few dance drama productions.   The demands of her profession notwithstanding, Vijayalakshmi has acquitted herself creditably in academics as well. She holds a master of Arts in English Literature, and followed it up with a Diploma in Music.