Unni Menon
Encyclopedia
Unni Menon is an India
n film playback singer
. He has sung over 3000 songs in South Indian languages like Malayalam
, Tamil
, Telugu
and Kannada
. 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 "Pudhu 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).
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.
, a music director, and Unni’s musical career was launched in 1981-82. His maiden song "Amudhum Thenum" was never released, but with "Pon maane kobam eno" he became a noted singer in 1984. He was a track singer and after listening to his tracks for the film, Kadathu, KJ Yesudas asked to the music director, Shyam, to make it straight. And after the huge success of the Kadathu songs ("Olangal Thaalam Thullumbol", "Punnaare Poonthinkale", etc.), Unni became a regular singer for the hit music director, Shyam. Shyam has given him a good number of popular songs like "Maanathe Hoori Pole" (Ee Naadu), "Valakilukkam Oru Valakilukkam" (Munnettam), "Kaayampoo Korthu Tharum" (Aarorumariyaathe) and "Thozhuthu Madangum Sandhyayumetho" (Aksharangal). Several songs sung by him durung this time were credited to other singers mainly Yesudas. After Shyam's decline from the film music field, Unni's career in Malayalam film musicdom also went into shades. During that period, he has given some hit private albums such as Raagageethi and Raaga Lahari, with his contemporary playback singer, Ashalatha.
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.
In 80s he had few lone hits in Tamil film 'Oru kaidhiyin dairy', singing for Ilayaraja. 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. 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.
Unni menon is the leading Singer in 2009 Malayalam Devotional Album Saranamanthram
directed by Kamalan.
: 1996 - Best Male Playback Singer
- Minsara Kanavu (Song: Ooh lalala)
Sthithi (2003)
Kangalal Kaithu Sei (2003)
Mullavalliyum Thenmavum (2003)
Enakku 20 Unakku 18
(2003) (in Tamil and Telugu) Bala (2003)
Unnai Ninaithu
(2002) Star (2001)
Jodi
(2001) Rhythm
(2000) (in Tamil and Telugu) Kadhalar Dhinam
(1999) Varushamellam Vasantham (1999)
Uyire (1998)
Minsaara Kanavu
(1997) 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)
Mimics Parade (1991)
Akkareakkareakkare (1990)
Naaduvazhikal (1989)
Ramo Speaking (1989)
Sruthi (1987)
Gandhinagar 2nd Street(1987)
Vazhiyorakkazhchakal (1987)
Nyayavidhi (1986)
Sneulla 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)
Koottinli (1984)
Aksharangal(1983)
Belt Mathai (1983)
Bhookambam (1983)
Iniyenkilum (1983)
Munnettam (1982)
John Jaffer Janardhanan (1982)
Palangal (1981)
Ee Naadu (1981)
Kadathu (1981)
India
India , officially the Republic of India , is a country in South Asia. It is the seventh-largest country by geographical area, the second-most populous country with over 1.2 billion people, and the most populous democracy in the world...
n film playback singer
Playback singer
A playback singer is a singer whose singing is prerecorded for use in movies. Playback singers record songs for soundtracks, and actors or actresses lip-sync the songs for cameras, while the actual singer does not appear on screen.-South Asia:...
. He has sung over 3000 songs in South Indian languages like Malayalam
Malayalam language
Malayalam , is one of the four major Dravidian languages of southern India. It is one of the 22 scheduled languages of India with official language status in the state of Kerala and the union territories of Lakshadweep and Pondicherry. It is spoken by 35.9 million people...
, Tamil
Tamil language
Tamil is a Dravidian language spoken predominantly by Tamil people of the Indian subcontinent. It has official status in the Indian state of Tamil Nadu and in the Indian union territory of Pondicherry. Tamil is also an official language of Sri Lanka and Singapore...
, Telugu
Telugu language
Telugu is a Central Dravidian language primarily spoken in the state of Andhra Pradesh, India, where it is an official language. It is also spoken in the neighbouring states of Chattisgarh, Karnataka, Maharashtra, Orissa and Tamil Nadu...
and Kannada
Kannada language
Kannada or , is a language spoken in India predominantly in the state of Karnataka. Kannada, whose native speakers are called Kannadigas and number roughly 50 million, is one of the 30 most spoken languages in the world...
. 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 "Pudhu Vellai Mazhai" from Mani Ratnam
Mani Ratnam
Mani Ratnam is an Indian filmmaker, screenwriter and producer. He made his directorial debut with the Kannada film Pallavi Anu Pallavi starring Anil Kapoor in 1983...
's award winning 1992 Tamil film Roja
Roja
Roja is a 1992 Tamil political drama, romance film directed by Mani Ratnam. The film was subsequently dubbed in Hindi, Marathi, Malayalam and Telugu....
, composed by A. R. Rahman
A. R. Rahman
Allah Rakha Rahman is an Indian composer, singer-songwriter, record producer, musician, and philanthropist. Described as the world's most prominent and prolific film composer by Time, his works are notable for integrating eastern classical music with electronic music sounds, world music genres and...
. He has frequently associated with A. R. Rahman, lending his voice to nearly 25 memorable songs from films like Karuththamma
Karuththamma
Karuthamma is a Tamil feature film directed by Bharathiraja. The film's score and soundtrack are composed by A. R. Rahman. The film was noticed as a milestone in the Tamil Film Industry. Bharathiraja even told that this film is the finest one that he ever done...
(1994) and Minsaara Kanavu
Minsaara Kanavu
Minsara Kanavu is a 1997 Tamil, Romance film, directed by Rajiv Menon. The film's score and soundtrack is composed by A. R. Rahman. Originally produced in Tamil, it went on to be dubbed in Telugu and in Hindi owing to its popularity....
(1997).
Early life
Unni Menon was born on december 2nd, 1957 at Guruvayoor, a temple town in the Thrissur districtThrissur district
Thrissur is a revenue district of Kerala situated in the central part of that state. Spanning an area of about 3,032 km2, Thrissur district is home to over 10% of Kerala’s population. Thrissur district was formed on July 1, 1949, with the headquarters at Thrissur City. Thrissur is known as...
of Kerala to V. K. S. Menon and Malathy. He did his schooling in Guruvayoor and B.E.M. High School, Palakkad
Palakkad
Palakkad , formerly known as Palghat, is a municipality and a town in the state of Kerala in southern India, spread over an area of 26.60 km2.The city is situated about north of state capital Thiruvananthapuram. It is the administrative headquarters of Palakkad District...
. Later, he attended the Government Victoria College, Palakkad
Government Victoria College, Palakkad
Government Victoria College Palakkad is the oldest institution of higher learning in the Malabar region of Kerala. It is affiliated to the Calicut University and provides undergraduate and postgraduate education in Science, Arts and Commerce subjects....
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.
Career
Unni Menon is basically a Malayalam film playback singer. Kunjunni, a violinist for music director Ilaiyaraaja introduced him to B. A. ChidambaranathB. A. Chidambaranath
Bhoothapandi Annavi Chidambaranath was an Indian film score composer and musician who worked mainly in Malayalam films.-Biography:Hailing from a family of reputed musicians from Bhoothapandi, Nagercoil district, Chidambaranath took early lessons in mridangam and Carnatic vocal from his father, B....
, a music director, and Unni’s musical career was launched in 1981-82. His maiden song "Amudhum Thenum" was never released, but with "Pon maane kobam eno" he became a noted singer in 1984. He was a track singer and after listening to his tracks for the film, Kadathu, KJ Yesudas asked to the music director, Shyam, to make it straight. And after the huge success of the Kadathu songs ("Olangal Thaalam Thullumbol", "Punnaare Poonthinkale", etc.), Unni became a regular singer for the hit music director, Shyam. Shyam has given him a good number of popular songs like "Maanathe Hoori Pole" (Ee Naadu), "Valakilukkam Oru Valakilukkam" (Munnettam), "Kaayampoo Korthu Tharum" (Aarorumariyaathe) and "Thozhuthu Madangum Sandhyayumetho" (Aksharangal). Several songs sung by him durung this time were credited to other singers mainly Yesudas. After Shyam's decline from the film music field, Unni's career in Malayalam film musicdom also went into shades. During that period, he has given some hit private albums such as Raagageethi and Raaga Lahari, with his contemporary playback singer, Ashalatha.
Unni Menon moved to Chennai
Chennai
Chennai , formerly known as Madras or Madarasapatinam , is the capital city of the Indian state of Tamil Nadu, located on the Coromandel Coast off the Bay of Bengal. Chennai is the fourth most populous metropolitan area and the sixth most populous city in India...
(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.
In 80s he had few lone hits in Tamil film 'Oru kaidhiyin dairy', singing for Ilayaraja. 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. 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
Sthithi
Sthithi is a 2002 Malayalam feature film written and directed by R. Sarath. The film tells the tale of a couple employed in the Secretariat. It stars Unni Menon, Nandini Goswal, Master Achuth, Master Anand and Mallika Sukumaran. It is playback singer Unni Menon's debut film as an actor. He also...
besides singing the songs in the film.
Unni menon is the leading Singer in 2009 Malayalam Devotional Album Saranamanthram
Saranamanthram
Saranamanthram is a Hindu Devotional Songs album in Malayalam. The songs dedicated to Lord Ayyappa, is composed and arranged by aspiring Music Director Kamalan. The album is crafted with a strong base of Carnatic Music, complemented by the flawless lyrics written by Harinarayanan...
directed by Kamalan.
Major Awards
Tamil Nadu State Film AwardsTamil Nadu State Film Awards
Tamil Nadu State Film Awards are the most notable film awards given for Tamil films in India. They are given annually to honour the best talents and provide encouragement and incentive to the South Indian film industry by the Government of Tamil Nadu. The awards are decided by a committee headed by...
:
- 2002 - Best Male Playback SingerTamil Nadu State Film Award for Best Male PlaybackThe Tamil Nadu State Film Award for Best Male Playback Singer is given by the state government as part of its annual Tamil Nadu State Film Awards for Tamil films.-The list:Here is a list of the award winners and the films for which they won....
-
Tamil Nadu State Film Award for Best Male Playback
The Tamil Nadu State Film Award for Best Male Playback Singer is given by the state government as part of its annual Tamil Nadu State Film Awards for Tamil films.-The list:Here is a list of the award winners and the films for which they won....
-
Partial filmography
Enakku 20 Unakku 18
Enakku 20 Unakku 18 is a 2003 Tamil romantic film written and directed by Jyothi Krishna. The film stars Tarun and Trisha Krishnan in the lead roles, while Shriya Saran, Vivek and Manivannan play other pivotal roles. The film was also simultaneously shot and released in Telugu with a slightly...
(2003) (in Tamil and Telugu)
Unnai Ninaithu
Unnai Ninaithu is a film starring Surya, Sneha and Laila.-Plot:The basic story of the movie involves Laila and Suriya falling in love. A 3rd character gets entangled in the plot and Laila is compelled by her family to marry him. Heart-broken Suriya leaves her alone, but only to find out that the...
(2002)
Jodi
Jodi, or jodi.org, is a collective of two internet artists: Joan Heemskerk and Dirk Paesmans . Their background is in photography and video art; since the mid-1990s they started to create original artworks for the World Wide Web...
(2001)
Rhythm (film)
Rhythm is a 2000 Tamil film directed by Vasanth. The film stars Arjun, Meena and Manivannan in lead roles and Ramesh Aravind and Jyothika in supporting roles. The music is by A. R. Rahman, while cinematography was handled by P.S. Vinod and Arthur A. Wilson...
(2000) (in Tamil and Telugu)
Kadhalar Dhinam
Kadhalar Dhinam is a 1999 Tamil romantic film directed by Kathir. This film is based on a relationship which begins through an internet chatroom and takes a turn after the protagonist has second thoughts about the relationship...
(1999)
- aka
Minsaara Kanavu
Minsara Kanavu is a 1997 Tamil, Romance film, directed by Rajiv Menon. The film's score and soundtrack is composed by A. R. Rahman. Originally produced in Tamil, it went on to be dubbed in Telugu and in Hindi owing to its popularity....
(1997)
- aka
Mr. Romeo
Mr. Romeo is a Tamil language film directed by noted director, Ravi who directed En Swasa Kaatre. The film had music by A. R. Rahman. The film starred Prabhu Deva in a double role and his love interests are portrayed by top bollywood actresses Shilpa Shetty and Madhoo with Vadivelu in key role.-...
(1996)
Karuththamma
Karuthamma is a Tamil feature film directed by Bharathiraja. The film's score and soundtrack are composed by A. R. Rahman. The film was noticed as a milestone in the Tamil Film Industry. Bharathiraja even told that this film is the finest one that he ever done...
'(1994) (In Tamil and Telugu)
Thiruda Thiruda
Thiruda Thiruda is a Tamil comedy thriller film directed by Mani Ratnam, and scripted by Ram Gopal Varma. The soundtrack and background score of the film were composed by A. R. Rahman whilst the cinematography was done by P. C...
(1993) (in Tamil and Telugu)
Pudhiya Mugam
Pudhiya Mugam is a 1993 Tamil thriller film directed by Suresh Menon. It stars Vineeth, Suresh Menon and Revathi as prime characters. The film featured an acclaimed soundtrack by A. R...
(1993)
Roja
Roja is a 1992 Tamil political drama, romance film directed by Mani Ratnam. The film was subsequently dubbed in Hindi, Marathi, Malayalam and Telugu....
(1992)
- aka Roja (India: Malayalam title) (India: Telugu title: dubbed version)
- aka The Rose (International: English title)
- aka Akkare Akkare Akkare (India: Malayalam title: alternative transliteration)