Nambalatt Narayanankutty Menon (born 2 December 1955), known better by his stage name Unni Menon is an Indian film playback singer. He has recorded over 4000 songs in many Indian languages including Malayalam, Tamil, Telugu and Kannada.S.S.Kavuta. A melodious journey . The Hindu. Retrieved 29 November 2008 In the early part of his career, he spent many years as a low-profile playback singer. The turning point in his career came with the song "Pudhu Vellai Mazhai" from Mani Ratnam's award-winning 1992 Tamil film Roja, composed by A. R. Rahman.
Menon has frequently associated with A. R. Rahman, lending his voice to nearly 27 popular songs from films like Karuththamma (1994) and Minsaara Kanavu (1997).
Early life
Unni Menon was born as Narayanankutty Menon at the temple town of Guruvayur in the Thrissur district of Kerala to V.K.S. Menon and Malathy. His father was an officer in the Tamil Nadu police and a native of Guruvayur.
Menon did his schooling at Guruvayur and then at the Basel Evangelical Mission School, Palakkad. Later, he attended the Government Victoria College, Palakkad, from where he graduated in Physics. He exhibited great talent and enthusiasm for music in childhood, winning many prizes in competitions throughout his school and college days.Biography in official website, additional text.
Career
Unni Menon is a Malayalam film playback singer. Kunjunni, a violinist for music director Ilaiyaraaja introduced him to B. A. Chidambaranath, 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).
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. Paanchajanyam, a Hindu devotional audio album on Lord Guruvayurappan, brought him a lot of fame in the Malayalam audio world.
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 artists 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.Chennai Online interview, additional text.
In the 1980s he had few lone hits, "Pon maane kobam eno" in Tamil film 'Oru Kaidhiyin Diary', with a nickname Vijay, singing for Ilayaraja. His career got a major boost in 1992 when A. R. Rahman offered him the song "Puthu Vellai Mazhai".
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
Unni menon is the leading Singer in 2009 Malayalam Devotional Album Saranamanthram directed by Kamalan.
Personal life
Unni Menon is married to Sashila Sugathan, and the couple has two sons, Ankur and Akash.
Filmography Sthithi (2003)
Television YearName of Television ShowRoleNetwork2024Super Singer Season 10GuestStar Vijay2025Super Singer Junior season 10GuestStar Vijay
Awards
Tamil Nadu State Film Awards: 2002 – Best Male Playback Singer – Varushamellam Vasantham (Song: "Enge Antha Vennila") and Unnai Ninaithu (Songs: "Ennai Thalatum" and "Yaarindha Devathai") 1996 – Best Male Playback Singer – Minsara Kanavu (Song: "Ooh lalala")Official site
Film Guidance Society of Kerala Film Awards: 2011 – Best Male Playback Singer – Beautiful (Song: "Mazhaneer Thullikal")
North American Film Awards 2017 - Best Male Playback Singer – Jacobinte Swargarajyam The Best Playback Singer Award from NAFA Kalaimamani Honour by Tamil Nadu Government 2018 - Contribution to Playback singingKalaimamani Awards (http://cms.tn.gov.in/sites/default/files/go/tour_t_31_2019.pdf) Discography Malayalam songs List of Malayalam songs recorded by Unni Menon Year Movie Song Music director LyricsCo-artist(s)1982Marmaram"Angam Prathi Anangan" M. S. ViswanathanKavalam Narayana PanickerS. Janaki1999Chandamama"Rojapoo Kavilathu"OuseppachanKaithapramSujatha Mohan2003Sthithi"Oru Chembaneer" Unni MenonPrabhavarma2012SpiritMaranamethunna Shahabaz AmanRafeeq Ahmed2022 Bheeshma Parvam"Rathipushpam" Sushin Shyam Vinayak Sasikumar
Tamil songs List of Tamil songs recorded by Unni Menon Year Movie Song Music director LyricsCo-artist(s)1985Oru Kaidhiyin Diary"Ponmane Kovam Yeno" IlaiyaraajaVairamuthuUma Ramanan1992Roja"Pudhu Vellai Mazhai"A. R. RahmanSujatha Mohan1993Captain Magal"Vaanambadi"Hamsalekha VairamuthuSujatha MohanThiruda Thiruda”Veerapandi Kottayile”A. R. RahmanMano, K. S. ChithraGokulam"Sevvanthi Poo"SirpyP. SusheelaPudhiya Mugam"Kannuku Mai Azhagu"A. R. Rahman"Idhudhaan Vazhkai"Sujatha Mohan1994Chinna Madam"Putham Puthu Oorukku"SirpyKaruthamma"Poraale Ponnuthayi"A. R. RahmanSujatha MohanSindhu Nathi Poo"Kadavullum Neeyum"SoundaryanS. JanakiVeettai Paaru Naattai Paaru"Petha Manam"Deva1995Jameen Kottai"Manichittu Thaalatile"SirpyVilladhi Villain"Bombai Maami"VidyasagarSujatha Mohan1996Kizhakku Mugam"Iniyenna Pechu"(Male)AdithyanMr. Romeo"Mel Isaiyae"A. R. RahmanSwarnalatha, Srinivas, Sujatha MohanPudhu Nilavu"Vanna Vanna Pookal"DevaTake It Easy Urvashi"Idhayathil Iruppavale"SoundaryanSwarnalathaVishwanath"Jil Endru Veesuthu"Deva1997Minsara Kanavu"Mana Madurai"A. R. RahmanK. S. Chithra, SrinivasPudhayal"Ochamma Ochamma"VidyasagarUma Ramanan, S. P. Balasubrahmanyam1998Uyire"Poongkaatrilae"A. R. RahmanSwarnalatha1999Jodi"Kadhal Kaditham"A. R. RahmanS. JanakiKadhalar Dhinam"Daandiyaa Aattamumaada"A. R. Rahman"Enna Vilaiyazhagae"Kudumba Sangili"Petha Manasu"SirpySujatha MohanMaanaseega Kadhal"Signal Kidaikatha"DevaAnuradha SriramNinaivirukkum Varai"Anbe Nee Mayila"DevaSujatha MohanPudhu Kudithanam"Nilavukku Ennadi"DevaHariniTime"Ninachapadi"IlaiyaraajaUnnaruge Naan Irundhal"Poori Poori"DevaSwarnalatha2000Aval Paavam"Ponnanaval"Pradeep RaviChinna Chinna Kannile"Chinna Chinna Kannile"Sampath SelvanEazhaiyin Sirippil"Karu Karu Karupayi"DevaAnuradha Sriram"Sakkaravalli"’’Kandukondain Kandukondain’’”Yengue Yenuthu Kavithai”A. R. RahmanThamarai, K. S. Chithra"Purave En"(Version ll)”Purave En”Version )Sujatha MohanJames Pandu"James Pandu Da"S. A. RajkumarManoMugavaree"Yeh Nilavae"DevaSathyaseelan"Don't Miss Sagothara"Vandemataram SrinivasPennin Manathai Thottu"Kannukkulle"S. A. RajkumarRhythm"Nadhiye Nadhiye"A. R. RahmanSabhash"Paalai Keeley"DevaAnuradha SriramSeenu"Kuchalaambaal"DevaHariniUnakkaga Mattum"Ammaadi Nee Enna"Bobby Shankar"Kaadhal Seiya"SrinivasUnnai Kodu Ennai Tharuven"Pethava Kanniru"S. A. RajkumarVaanathaippola"Mainave Mainave"S. A. RajkumarK. S. ChithraVaanavil"Oh Penne"(Version ll)DevaSwarnalatha2001Aanandham"Gokulathu Radhai"S. A. RajkumarSujatha Mohan, S. P. Charan"Kalyana Vaanil"Sujatha MohanAlli Thandha Vaanam"Kannalay Miya Miya"VidyasagarSri VardhiniKadal Pookkal"Alai Alai"DevaSrinivas, SwarnalathaLove Channel"Enge Ennathu Vennila"DevaSujatha MohanPoove Pen Poove"Kannukuley"Subhas JawaharShahjahan"Minnalai Pidithu"Mani SharmaStar"Machha Machhiniye"A. R. RahmanGanga Sitharasu2002123"Hey Penne"DevaBala"Poopoovai"Yuvan Shankar RajaGanga SitharasuGummalam"Yaaro"GandhidasanKarmegham"Etumula Veti Kati"VidyasagarAntara ChowdhuryMaaran"Aanantham Aanantham"DevaSujatha Mohan"Kannukulle"Unnai Ninaithu"Ennai Thalattum"Sirpy Pa. Vijay Sujatha Mohan"Yaar Indha Devathai" II Pa. Vijay Varushamellam Vasantham"Enge Andha Vennila"(Male)SirpyVirumbugiren"Thodu Thodu"Deva2003Bheeshmar"Nadagam Pol Vaazhkaiyila"S. P. VenkateshChokka Thangam"Ettu Jilla"DevaAnuradha SriramEnakku 20 Unakku 18"Sandhippoma"A. R. RahmanChinmayiPriyamaana Thozhi"Penne Neyum Pennaa"S. A. RajkumarKalpana RaghavendarSena"Theerathathu Kathal"D. ImmanNithyasree MahadevanThennavan"Vatta Vatta"Yuvan Shankar RajaPadmalatha2004Autograph"Ninaivugal Nenjil"BharadwajKangalal Kaidhu Sei"Ennuyir Thozhi"A. R. RahmanVairamuthuChinmayi2005Amudhae"Anbe Adu Oru Kalam"Sunil XavierSujatha MohanKicha Vayasu 16"Sila Neram"DhinaOru Kalluriyin Kathai"Unakku Endru Oruthi"Yuvan Shankar RajaNa. MuthukumarThavamai Thavamirundhu"Oru Muraidhan"Sabesh–MuraliVeeranna"Manithaney Kalangathey"Soundaryan2006Kasu"Nee Oru Paarvai"(Duet)V S UdhayaNirosha"Nee Oru Paarvai"(Solo)Vettaiyaadu Vilaiyaadu"Partha Mudhal"Harris JayarajBombay Jayashri2007Achacho"Pengal"M K S Narula KhanMahathiRasigar Mandram"Nilavae"S P BoopathyReshmiThirutham"Kadhal Kanmaniye"Pravin ManiK. S. Chithra2008Ezhuthiyatharadi"Kangalil Vanthathillai"Sri MahanKadhal Endral Enna"Margazhi Thimuttavaa"K BharathiVedha"Ennai Naan"Srikanth Deva2009Aarupadai"Poove Oru Naal"Azhvar SriMariyadhai"Yaar Parthathu"(Version ll)Vijay AntonyUnnai Kann Theduthe"Kagetha Puveni"SirpyK. S. Chithra2010Thenmerku Paruvakaatru"Kallikkaattil Pirandha"N. R. Raghunanthan2011180"Santhikkadha Kangalil"SharrethK. S. Chithra2012Eppadi Manasukkul Vanthai"Muthangal"A J DanielBombay JayashriPathirama Pathukkunga"Vaadukiren Paadukiren"Sivaji Raja2017Tube Light"Mella Vaa"IndraVandana Srinivasan2022The Legend"Maya Maya"Harris JayarajBombay Jayashree
Telugu discography YearFilmSongComposer(s)Co-singer(s) 1993Donga Donga"Veera Bobbili"A. R. RahmanMano, K. S. Chithra1994Vanitha"Poodota Poochindanta"A. R. RahmanSujatha Mohan199750 - 50"O Meghana"A. R. RahmanMerupu Kalalu"Ooh La La La"1999Premikula Roju"Vaalu Kannuladaana"A. R. Rahman"Dhaandiya"Kavita Krishnamurthy, M. G. SreekumarTime"Oyyala Pandagochindhi"Ilaiyaraaja2000Maa Annayya"Maa Logililo"S. A. RajkumarRhythm"Dhimtanana Dhimtanana"A. R. RahmanPriyuallu Pilichindi”Yemaaye Naa KavithaA. R. RahmanK. S. Chithra2003Nee Manasu Naaku Telusu"Kalusukundhama"A. R. Rahman2004Cheppave Chirugali"Nannu Laalinchu"(Duet)S. A. Rajkumar
Malayalam album songs
Chingakili - 1992 Aavani Kanavukal - 1997 Pranayamarmaram - 2009 Ponnavanni Pattukal - 2017 Eenathil - 2018 Ennum Ninnormmayil (Ronima Creations) - 2022
References
External links Official Website