Most of his early education was through home study owing to fragile health condition. From fourth form onwards he studied at Palghat Municipal High School and continued there till the first half of sixth form and completed it at, Courley High School, Thambaram. Intermediate and Bachelors Degree were completed from Government Victoria College, Palghat.

After completing Post Graduation in English from Madras Presidency College he joined Madurai Students Tutorial College as a lecturer. Later, Vijayan moved to Palghat Victoria College, as tutor, and from there to Malabar Christian College in 1955.

In 1958, he left Kerala for Delhi to pursue his interest in the world of Cartoons and Journalism. After a five-year stint with 'Sankers Weekly', he moved to 'The Patriot' as staff cartoonist. In 1967 he became a freelancer. His cartoons then began to appear regularly in 'The Hindu' (Chennai), 'Far Eastern Economic Review' (Hong Kong) and 'The Statesman' (Delhi). Some of his cartoons appeared even in 'New York Times'.

He lived at Kottayam along with his wife, Dr.Theresa and his sister OV Usha. His only son, Madhu was a consultant designer based in Los Angles, USA.

On March 30.2005, Vijayan, 75, died of a cardiac arrest in a hospital in Hyderabad early Wednesday morning after prolonged illness.

On March 31. 2005, The mortal remains of the writer and cartoonist O.V. Vijayan were consigned to flames with full State honours at Ivar Madhom near Thiruvilwamala on the banks of the Bharathapuzha. The funeral pyre was lit by his nephews Sooraj and Ravi Shankar (cartoonist) in the presence of a large number of people who gathered at the Madhom. His wife, Theresa Vijayan, sister O.V. Usha and close relatives were present. A contingent of the State police paid their last respect to the legendary writer by customary gun salutes.