Unni Menon Biography 
Unni Menon is a leading playback singer of south India who has rendered his voice for more than 3000 songs in the languages – Malayalam, Tamil, Telugu and Kannada. ‘Oru chempanoor poo’ of Sthiti (2003) is one among his most popular film songs of Malayalam cinema. He was seen in its song picturation too, he played the leading role in that movie. In 2012, the top Malayalam song of the year was ‘Mazhaneer thullikal’ of the movie Beautiful sung by Unni Menon. His other Malayalam hits include Thamara noolinaal of Mullavalliyum Thenmaavum. He has sung songs for Malayalam movies like Kandu Kandarinju, Gandhinagar 2nd Street, Akkare Akkare Akkare, Rajavinte Makan, Boeing Boeing, Vazhiyorakkazhchakal, Oru Nokku Kanan, John Jaffer Janardhanan, Ee Lokam Ivide Kure Manushyar, Naaduvazhikal and Ramo Speaking.
Though born as a Keralite, Tamil music composers identified his real talent than Malayalam composers and his major hits belong to Tamil, particularly in A.R.rehman compositions. He has sung some wonderful songs for Tamil in A.R.Rehman’s composition and has won many awards as well. Most popular songs in A.R.rehman composition include – Kannukku Mai Azhagu and Idhudhaan Vazhkai Enbada of Puthiya Mugham (1993), Hoo lala la of Minsara Kanavu (1997), Puthu vellai mazhai of Roja (1992), Nadhiye Nadhiye of Rhythm (2000), Poongkaatrilae of Uyire (Tamil version of E Ajnabi), Porale Ponnuthayi of Karuthamma, Veerapandi Kotayyile of Thiruda thiruda (A unique fast number sung by Unni Menon -1993), Machha Machhiniye of Star (2001), Kathal kaditham of Jodi (1999) and Enna vilai azhake and Dhandiya of Kaathalar Thinam (1999).
He debut Malayalam film industry through the song "Amudhum Thenum" for music director Chidambaranath. But the movie was not released. ‘Pon maane kobam eno’ was his first hit song. He was a track singer for Yesudas during the first phase of his career. But hearing his track voice in Olangal, Yesudas asked the film composer to retain the voice of Unni Menon and both the songs became hits - Olangal Thaalam Thullumbol and Punnaare Poonthinkale. Then he got opportunities in Malayalam and later moved to other South Indian languages as well.
He has won Tamil nadu state awards twice – In 2002, he won it for multiple songs; Enge Antha Vennila of Varushamellam Vasantham and Ennai thalatum and Yaarindha Devathai of Unnai Ninaithu. In 1996, for Hoo lalala of Minsara Kanavu. He has won Kerala Film guidance society awards for the song ‘Mazhaneer thullikal’ in the year 2012.
Published: N/A
Updated: July 08, 2013
