Gayathri Vijayalakshmi, a retired teacher, gets opportunity to dance at Sabarimala

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: A 60-year-old retired teacher, who hasn’t danced for more than two decades, has now got a rare opportunity to dance at Sabarimala.

Gayathri Vijayalakshmi, who was a professor at TKM Engineering College, will perform on the 7th of this month in the evening at Valiya Nadapanthal. This is her first visit to Sabarimala and she will be observing 41-day vratham. Her ‘Bharatanatyam’ performance will only be after the darshan.

Her son Yadu Krishnan and friend Radha will accompany her.

The opportunity came through film director Anil Raj, who is the father of Plus One student Chinmayi Nair, who made the short film 'Class by a Soldier' starring Gayathri. She also got the opportunity to dance at Sivagiri on 25th December before the Sivagiri pilgrimage.

Before retiring from service, she resumed her dance practice in ‘Midhilalaya’. In 2019, her arangetram was held at Vailoppilly Samskrithi Bhavan. She has performed in 75 dance programs in the last four years. Her children Unnimaya and Yadu Krishnan supports her in all endeavours.

She wishes to perform dance in Guruvayoor and Kollur Mookambika. Gayathri, a native of Haripad, has been residing in EMS Nagar, Pattoor for 18 years.

Gayathri considers this opportunity as god’s will and said that she thanks her children and god for everything.