By KALYANI VASAN
Born in 1936 into a traditional Tamil family in Chennai, Vyjayantimala Bali was expected to live an ordinary life: marriage followed by children. However, her life was far from ordinary. She was destined to become India’s first celluloid superstar, a Bharatanatyam dance icon, a Padmashree awardee, and even a two-time parliamentarian. Vyjayantimala even in her eighties still leaves you spellbound...
Born in 1936 into a traditional Tamil family in Chennai, Vyjayantimala Bali was expected to live an ordinary life: marriage followed by children. However, her life was far from ordinary. She was destined to become India’s first celluloid superstar, a Bharatanatyam dance icon, a Padmashree awardee, and even a two-time parliamentarian. Vyjayantimala even in her eighties still leaves you spellbound...
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with her beauty and a spunky zest for life that is infectious. Her 2018 dance performance has even gone viral on YouTube! On a recent visit to the Southland, speaking with India Journal in an exclusive interview, the actress, dancer and politician had this to say:
Q: Let us start with the top tier: your two term Indian Member of Parliament experience.
A: It just fell into my lap. I had never envisioned a political career, I just wanted to be a dancer. However, a chance meeting with Rajiv Gandhi had me saying yes when he requested me to contest for the Congress in the upcoming elections without thinking. I was also encouraged by my husband and as fate would have it, I entered the Lok Sabha in 1985 as a staunch supporter of the ruling party led by Indira Gandhi. I remember asking my husband, “You ask me to serve the people, am I not doing that as an artist?” He said that politics would give me a chance to serve the people on a more personal level. So, with that in mind I asked people to vote for me as I was sincere in my intent. I even praised my opponent, a seasoned politician! He, on the other hand, would malign me saying I was only good enough for grease paint. His strategy back fired and I won with a landslide victory not just in 1985 but also in 1989!
Q: Your political career led to a friendship with the then Prime Minister, Indira Gandhi.
A: Oh yes! Indiraji was a gracious and dignified lady. We shared a strong bond as two women in politics. She was the most intuitive person I have ever known. Once, during a visit to the Raj Bhavan, my husband began to speak when clearly Indiraji was deep in paperwork, I signaled him to stop. She sensed this and quickly raised her head and asked me to let him speak! I always greeted her with a namaste and and she would give me her brilliant smile. Her father Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru was also a very gracious gentleman.
Q: Tell us a little about your family growing up.
A: My family was very conservative and valued the Tamil tradition. My mother was only 14 years old when she gave birth to me. I always thought of her as my sister and even called her Akka, meaning sister. It was my grandmother who raised me,-took me to dance lessons and insisted that I attend a convent school. She was my chaperone throughout my film career and till today I have never gone alone anywhere. My father and my husband were my other constant companions. I have a son who is married and the gift of two granddaughters-Swara and Sahitya.
Q: How did a middle class Tamil girl become a celebrated Bollywood super star?
A: My first movie was in Tamil which was later remade in Hindi called `Bahar.’ I did not know Hindi and had to teach myself. I was lucky to work with phenomenal directors and co-stars. I have also acted in Tamil and Kannada films. The film `Sangam’ became my biggest blockbuster as in that film everything seemed synchronized to perfection-the script, the director, the music, the cinematography and the actors.
Q: You are a dance legend and you still continue to dance and even give performances. Most recently a dance performance you gave in 2018 has gone viral on YouTube!
A: Dance is my life’s breath; the divine force guides me. My son, Suchindra is always beseeching me to stop, worried that I could hurt myself. My answer-“I know my limits and how far I can push myself. My spirituality is always the blessing that has given me the strength to continue doing what I love the most.”
Q: Let us start with the top tier: your two term Indian Member of Parliament experience.
A: It just fell into my lap. I had never envisioned a political career, I just wanted to be a dancer. However, a chance meeting with Rajiv Gandhi had me saying yes when he requested me to contest for the Congress in the upcoming elections without thinking. I was also encouraged by my husband and as fate would have it, I entered the Lok Sabha in 1985 as a staunch supporter of the ruling party led by Indira Gandhi. I remember asking my husband, “You ask me to serve the people, am I not doing that as an artist?” He said that politics would give me a chance to serve the people on a more personal level. So, with that in mind I asked people to vote for me as I was sincere in my intent. I even praised my opponent, a seasoned politician! He, on the other hand, would malign me saying I was only good enough for grease paint. His strategy back fired and I won with a landslide victory not just in 1985 but also in 1989!
Q: Your political career led to a friendship with the then Prime Minister, Indira Gandhi.
A: Oh yes! Indiraji was a gracious and dignified lady. We shared a strong bond as two women in politics. She was the most intuitive person I have ever known. Once, during a visit to the Raj Bhavan, my husband began to speak when clearly Indiraji was deep in paperwork, I signaled him to stop. She sensed this and quickly raised her head and asked me to let him speak! I always greeted her with a namaste and and she would give me her brilliant smile. Her father Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru was also a very gracious gentleman.
Q: Tell us a little about your family growing up.
A: My family was very conservative and valued the Tamil tradition. My mother was only 14 years old when she gave birth to me. I always thought of her as my sister and even called her Akka, meaning sister. It was my grandmother who raised me,-took me to dance lessons and insisted that I attend a convent school. She was my chaperone throughout my film career and till today I have never gone alone anywhere. My father and my husband were my other constant companions. I have a son who is married and the gift of two granddaughters-Swara and Sahitya.
Q: How did a middle class Tamil girl become a celebrated Bollywood super star?
A: My first movie was in Tamil which was later remade in Hindi called `Bahar.’ I did not know Hindi and had to teach myself. I was lucky to work with phenomenal directors and co-stars. I have also acted in Tamil and Kannada films. The film `Sangam’ became my biggest blockbuster as in that film everything seemed synchronized to perfection-the script, the director, the music, the cinematography and the actors.
Q: You are a dance legend and you still continue to dance and even give performances. Most recently a dance performance you gave in 2018 has gone viral on YouTube!
A: Dance is my life’s breath; the divine force guides me. My son, Suchindra is always beseeching me to stop, worried that I could hurt myself. My answer-“I know my limits and how far I can push myself. My spirituality is always the blessing that has given me the strength to continue doing what I love the most.”
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