Unni Menon

Infobox musical artist
Name = Unni Menon
Born = birth date and age|1958|12|2|mf=y
Place of Birth = Guruvayoor, Kerala, India
Genre = Film score, Devotional
Occupation = Singer, Music Director, Actor
Years_active = Early 1980's – present
URL = [http://www.unnimenon.com Unni Menon's Official Website]

Unni Menon is a South Indian film playback singer. He has sung over 500 songs in South Indian languages like Tamil, Telugu and Malayalam. In the early part of his career, he spent many years as a low-profile playback singer. The turning point in his career came when he sang the song "Puthu Vellai Mazhai" from Mani Ratnam's award winning 1992 Tamil film "Roja", composed by A. R. Rahman. He has frequently associated with A. R. Rahman, lending his voice to nearly 25 memorable songs from films like "Karuththamma" (1994) and "Minsaara Kanavu" (1997). He has also worked with renowned music composer Ilayaraaja, Vidyasagar and Harris Jayaraj.

Early life

Unni Menon was born on December 2nd, 1958 in Guruvayoor, a temple town in the Thrissur district of Kerala to V. K. S. Menon and Malathy. He did his schooling in Guruvayoor and B.E.M. High School, Palakkad. Later, he attended the Government Victoria College, Palakkad from where he graduated with a degree in Physics. Unni Menon exhibited great talent and enthusiasm for music in childhood, winning many prizes in competitions throughout his schooling and college life. [http://unnimenon.com. Biography in official website] , additional text.]

Career

Unni Menon moved to Chennai (then Madras) where he had a job in the Heavy Vehicles Factory at Avadi. Many of the prominent recording studios of South India were located in Chennai. His interest in music led him to visit these studios regularly and formed acquaintances with many prominent artistes like the singer K. J. Yesudas and composer Ilayaraaja. Soon he had graduated from singing tracks for prominent singers and was becoming a singer sought after by many music directors. [http://chennaionline.com/columns/mallu/mallu14.asp Chennai Online interview] , additional text.]

His career got a major boost in 1992 when A. R. Rahman offered him the song "Puthu Vellai Mazhai". That song went on to become a huge hit, as were all the other songs from the film and fetched A. R. Rahman the Rajat Kamal for Best Music Director at the National Film Awards. Since then sung many songs which have become big hits.

In 2003, Unni Menon added a new dimension to his career when he acted and composed music for the Malayalam film "Sthithi" besides singing the songs in the film.Official site]

Major Awards

* Tamil Nadu State Award for the Best Male Playback Singer for the year 2002 for his songs in the the movies "Varushamellam Vasantham" (song:"Enge Antha Vennila") and "Unnai Ninaithu" (songs: "Ennai thalatum" and "Yaarindha Devathai").
* Tamil Nadu State Award for the Best Male Playback Singer for the year 1996, for the song "Ooh lalala" in the film "Minsara Kanavu".Official site]

Partial Filmography

* "Oru Kalluriyin Kathai" (2005)
* "Sthithi" (2003)
* "Kangalal Kaithu Sei" (2003)
* "Mullavalliyum Thenmavum" (2003)
* "Enakku 20 Unakku 18" (2003) (in Tamil and Telugu)
* "Star" (2001)
* "Jodi" (2001)
* " Rhythm" (2000) (in Tamil and Telugu)
* "Kadhalar Dhinam" (1999)
** aka "Lover's Day" (India: Telugu title: remake or dubbed version)
* "Uyire" (1998)
* "Minsaara Kanavu" (1997)
** aka "Merupu Kalalu" (India: Telugu title: dubbed version)
** aka "Minsara Kanavu" (India: Tamil title: alternative transliteration)
* "Mr. Romeo" (1996)
* "Tom & Jerry" (1995)
* "Karuththamma'(1994) (In Tamil and Telugu)
* "Thiruda Thiruda" (1993) (in Tamil and Telugu)
* "Pudhiya Mugam" (1993)
* "Roja" (1992)
** aka "Roja" (India: Malayalam title) (India: Telugu title: dubbed version)
** aka "The Rose" (International: English title)
* "Mimics Parade" (1991)
* "Akkareakkareakkare" (1990)
** aka "Akkare Akkare Akkare" (India: Malayalam title: alternative transliteration)
* "Naaduvazhikal" (1989)
* "Ramji Rao Speaking" (1989)
* "Sruthi" (1987)
* "Vazhiyorakkazhchakal" (1987)
* "Nyayavidhi" (1986)
* "Snehamulla Simham" (1986)
* "Kshamichu Ennoru Vakku" (1986)
* "Ithile Iniyum Varu" (1986)
* "Rajavinte Makan" (1986)
* "Kandu Kandarinju" (1985)
* "Ee Lokam Ivide Kure Manushyar" (1985)
* "Oru Nokku Kanan" (1985)
* "Adhyayam Onnu Muthal" (1985)
* "Boeing Boeing" (1985)
* "Vellarikka Pattanam" (1985)
* "Aarorumariyathe" (1984)
* "Koottinilamkili" (1984)
* "Belt Mathai" (1983)
* "Bhookambam" (1983)
* "Iniyenkilum" (1983)
* "John Jaffer Janardhanan" (1982)
* "Palangal" (1981)

References

External links

*imdb name|id=0579771|name=Unni Menon
* [http://www.unnimenon.com Official Website]