Narayanan Lakshmi Balakrishnan is an Indian photographer born as Velayudhan in Malayalam Cinema who worked in many projects as a still photographer.

Early Life of Narayanan Lakshmi Balakrishnan
Narayanan Lakshmi Balakrishnan was born on 17th April in the year 1943. He was commonly known as N. L. Balakrishnan who was an Indian film still photographer and actor who worked in Malayalam cinema. Narayanan Lakshmi Balakrishnan hailed from Powdikonam near Chempazhanthy in Thiruvananthapuram. He was born as the only child of Narayanan and Lakshmi on April 17, 1943. He obtained a diploma in painting from College of Fine Arts Trivandrum and trained in photography from various studios in Trivandrum including Metro Studio, Sivan Studio and Rupalekha Studio. K. Neelakanta Pillai of Rupalekha Studio introduced Balakrishnan to film producer Sobhana Parameswaran Nair who made him work as a still photographer in the film Kallichellamma.

Works of Narayanan Lakshmi Balakrishnan
Narayanan Lakshmi Balakrishnan worked as a still photographer in about 170 films and has associated with great directors including G. Aravindan, John Abraham, Adoor Gopalakrishnan, P. Padmarajan, Bharathan and K. G. George. He was an actor, with 180 credits to his name, and has also worked as a photo journalist with Kerala Kaumudi. Narayanan Lakshmi Balakrishnan is best known for his work as unit still photographer in the films of master director G. Aravindan. He worked with Aravindan in 11 films including Kanchana Sita, Pokkuveyil, Chidambaram and Vasthuhara. Balakrishnan worked with Adoor Gopalakrishnan in five films: Prathisandhi, Swayamvaram, Kodiyettam, Mukhamukham and Elippathayam. He was also part of numerous other parallel films of the 1970s and 1980s. He worked with other directors including John Abraham, K. P. Kumaran, Lenin Rajendran, P. Padmarajan, Bharathan and K. G. George as well as with commercial movie-makers such as Sathyan Anthikad. With Padmarajan, Balakrishnan associated in eight films including Peruvazhiyambalam, Oridathoru Phayalvaan, Novemberinte Nashtam, Innale and Namukku Parkkan Munthiri Thoppukal. Bhadran`s Spadikam (1995) was the last film he worked as a still photographer.

Acting Career of Narayanan Lakshmi Balakrishnan
The first film of Narayanan Lakshmi Balakrishnan was Rajiv Anchal`s Ammanam Kili. As an actor, Narayanan Lakshmi Balakrishnan had around 180 films to his credit. He is known for his work on films such as Orkkapurathu (1988), Joker (2000), Kakkothikkavile Appooppan Thaadikal (1988) and Pattanapravesham (1988). The filmmakers used his bulky physique to comic effect. In many films he played the giant with a heart of a child. His last film Daivathinte Swantham Cleetus released in 2013 September.

Narayanan Lakshmi Balakrishnan as a Photo Journalist
Narayanan Lakshmi Balakrishnan worked as a photojournalist in Kerala Kaumudi for eleven years (1968-1979). He was also the head of Forum for Better Spirit, a pro-drinking group formed with the aim of lobbying for subsidised and abundant supply of good liquor in Kerala.

Books Written by Narayanan Lakshmi Balakrishnan
Narayanan Lakshmi Balakrishnan has published a book titled Black and White (2011).

Personal Life of Narayanan Lakshmi Balakrishnan
In 2014 November, Narayanan Lakshmi Balakrishnan was diagnosed with cancer. He died on 25th December 2014. He was also suffering from diabetes and other age related ailments. He is survived by his wife Nalini and only son Rajan.