Unni Menon

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Unni Menon
Born December 2, 1958 (1958-12-02) (age 49)
Genre(s) Film score, Devotional
Occupation(s) Singer, Music Director, Actor
Years active Early 1980's – present
Website 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.

Contents

[edit] 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.[1]

[edit] 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.[2]

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.[1]

[edit] 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.[1]

[edit] 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)

[edit] External links

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