Meet Vyjayantimala:.
“quit films at zenith of her career to settle down”
Inarguably, Vyjayanthimala was significantly far more than the femme fatal remembered in silk sarees and classical poses. Her life away from theatrical lights is just as fascinating. In 1968, at the pinnacle of her fame, she entered into marital bliss with Dr.Chamanlal Bali, an esteemed heart specialist finding a life partner rooted firmly outside the film industry, a decision that quietly said everything about her priorities. Their son, Suchindra Bali, grew up away from filmi chaos, educated, articulate, briefly flirting with acting before choosing a more private, grounded life, very much reflecting his parents’ values. Vyjayanthimala stepped down from cinema not in defeat but with choice, turning her focus to what had always defined her at an intricate level, classical Bharatanatyam, cultural preservation, and social responsibility. A Padma Vibhushan awardee, she devoted decades towards promotion of Indian dance globally, mentoring generations, and treating art as discipline rather than decoration. Her public life expanded further when she embraced politics, serving as a Member of Parliament from Chennai, where she was acknowledged for dignity, restraint, and seriousness, never noise. Add to that her quiet charity work, especially in education and cultural institutions, and you see a woman who never chased relevance, she coined her own definition of it. Vyjayanthimala’s legacy isn’t just cinematic, it’s architectural, built across art, intellect, family, and public service, with grace, control, and an almost old-fashioned sense of self-respect.
News Edit KV Raman
