Unni Menon – Prominent South Indian Playback Singer

Unni Menon is a south Indian playback singer, who predominantly works in Malayalam & Tamil cinema. His singing phase was prominent in the 1980s and 1990s, with some memorable nostalgic songs to his credit. As a singer, he came to the limelight after singing “Pudhu Vellai Mazhai” from A. R. Rahman’s Tamil musical, Roja. He has numerous hit Tamil songs composed by Rahman. Among Malayalis, he is immensely popular through “Oru Chembaneer” song, which he sang for Sthithi. He composed this nostalgic song and was also featured in it.

Unni Menon – Childhood and Early phase of Singing journey

Unni Menon’s singing talent was first spotted by his school teacher

Unni Menon’s hometown is in Guruvayur of Thrissur District, Kerala. His birthname is Narayanankutty Menon. His father V.K.S. Menon worked with Tamil Nadu Police and has decorated the position of DYSP. His mother’s name is Malathy. Initially studied in Guruvayur, Unni Menon completed his schooling from Palakkad, when his father had a transfer to this district.

His school teacher at Palakkad, Benny recognized the hidden talents of young Unni and encouraged him. He was a member of school’s prayer group, when his teacher recognized him from the group and asked them to give him more songs. Later teachers like Krishnan and Malini encouraged him singing. He graduated in Physics from Government Victoria College, Palakkad. Since childhood he showed great interest in music, participated in music competitions and won prize.

Unni’s musical career was launched in 1981–82

After graduation, Unni Menon took a supervisor job in the Heavy Vehicles Factory at Avadi, Chennai. Slowly he started hating his job. Only interesting thing was his visit to music studios like Vahini, on way returning home. He bribes security with money and enters there. He kept observing people who come there. Most musical artists who work in Malayalam and Tamil cinema do come there, as a part of their job.

Unni was introduced to music composer B. A. Chidambaranath by Kunjunni, a violinist of music director Ilaiyaraaja. Kunjunni has been observing Unni, who frequently visits the studio, and he asked his intention. Unni lied that he is seeking opportunities for playback singing. Kunjunni took it serious and gave him opportunity to sing tracks.

He recorded his first song, “Amudhum Thenum” was never released. Three years later his song, “Pon Maane Kobam Eno” for the film, Oru Kaidhiyin Diary (1984) composed by Ilaiyaraaja gave him initial appreciation. Since then, he recorded numerous hit songs for different composers for different South Indian languages.

He was welcomed to Malayalam cinema through the songs of ‘Kadathu’

During the early 1980s, Unni Menon was working as a track singer in Malayalam cinema. He got the opportunity to work as a track singer for Shyam under the recommendation of Kalyan, an assistant of both Illayaraja and Shyam. Those days, work on Mammootty’s Trishna was going on at Gemini studio, and Unni Menon sang the tracks of a few films.

After listening to his tracks for the film, Kadathu, the producer Viswambharam asked the music composer Shyam to retain Unni Menon’s version itself. Out of 5 songs of the album, 3 of them belonged to him. In fact, he sang 3 tracks for the film and all of them were retained. The solos –“Olangal Thaalam Thullumbol” and “Punnaare Poonthinkale” recorded in his voice got noticed.

When the film’s title card appeared, he was thrilled to see the tagline, ‘Here we introduce the singer Unni Menon.’ It was at that moment that the successful association between Shyam and Unni Menon began in Malayalam cinema. The composer’s glorious years coincided with the singer’s peak as well. Eventually, both drifted into a phase of decline. However, by then, the magical era of the A. R. Rahman–Unni Menon combination had just begun.

His association with Shyam in the 1980s

Most of Unni Menon’s finest early-career songs came from composer Shyam. After Kadathu, Shyam recorded some beautiful songs in Unni Menon’s voice such as “Maanathe Hoori Pole” (Ee Naadu), “Valakilukkam Oru Valakilukkam” from Munnettam, “Kaayampoo Korthu Tharum” from Aarorumariyaathe, Poomkatte from Shyama, Vinnile Ghandarva from Raajavinte Makan, Poove Arimullappoove from Ennu Nathante Nimmi and “Thozhuthu Madangum Sandhyayumetho” from Aksharangal.

After Shyam’s decline in the industry, Unni Menon released a few albums, such as Raagageethi and Raaga Lahari, alongside his contemporary playback singer Asha Latha. His devotional album on Lord Guruvayurappan titled Paanchajanyam, became popular during that period. Read the backstory of Brahma Muhoorthathin Sankholi Uyarnnu song sung by him, dedicated to Guruvayurappan.

The Revival of Unni Menon’s Career through Tamil Cinema

When offers in Malayalam cinema started drying up, Unni relocated to Chennai. Subsequently, he started visiting big musical studios of Chennai, in hope of getting opportunities. His career got a major boost in 1992 when A. R. Rahman offered him the song “Puthu Vellai Mazhai” for his debut film, Roja, and there was no turning back after that. After Rahman, other leading South Indian composers of 1990s like Vidya Sagar, Sirpy, S. A. Rajkumar and Veda also gave him memorable songs. In the 2000s, he worked with Sharreth, Yuvan Shankar Raja and Harris Jayraj too.

A. R. Rahman composed Unni Menon’s finest songs of his career

If asked, who can be credited for giving the best songs to Unni Menon, there is only one answer – A. R. Rahman. Right from the composer’s debut film, their association stood tall for long, especially throughout the 1990s when some of their iconic songs were born. Their association ended in the mid-2000s. Yet Unni Menon continued working with other composers. 26 songs were born in this magical association.

Unni Menon owns numerous hits alongside Malayalam singer, Sujatha in Tamil. The first one is the iconic song from Roja – Pudhu Vellai. A few more are Kadhala Kadhala from Avvai Shanmugi,  Sil Sil Silala from Unnai Ninaithu, Mel Isaiyae from  Mr. Romeo and Theendi Theendi from Bala.

“Oru Chembaneer” – Malayalis recognize him through this single song

Though Unni Menon rendered his voice to numerous Malayalam songs, Malayalis recognize him through this single romantic song –“Oru Chembaneer”, which he composed and sang for the movie, Sthithi in 2003. The movie marked his acting debut too, in a lead role, aside singer-actress Nandini Ghosal. His Malayalam Devotional Album Saranamanthram also became popular.

He is currently settled in Chennai with his wife Sasheela Sugathan. Elder son Ankoor is an architect. Their youngest son Akash Menon has acted in 3 Bollywood films.

Major Film Awards won by Unni Menon

He received the Tamil Nadu state award for best playback singer for a series of songs – “Enge Andha Vennila” song of Varushamellam Vasantham (2002), and Ennai Thalatum” and “Yaarindha Devathai” songs of Unnai Ninaithu. He earlier received the same award for “Ooh lalala” song of Minsara Kanavu, the album which won multiple awards at the National Film Awards. Read “Ooh lalala” song lyrics and translation here. 

Mazhaneer Thullikal from Beautiful (2011) bagged the Best Male Playback Singer award at the Film Guidance Society of Kerala Film Awards. Thiruvaavaniraavu from Jacobinte Swargarajyam (2016) won him the North American Film Awards in 2017. Tamil Nadu Government honoured him with the prestigious Kalaimamani award in 2018, for his contributions as a playback singer for Tamil cinema.

The Greatest Hits of A. R. Rahman – Unni Menon Combo

1. Pudhu Vellai Mazhai from Roja (1992)

2. Veerapandi Kottayile from Thiruda Thiruda (1993)

3. Kannuku Mai Azhagu from Pudhiya Mugam (1993)

4. Idhudhaan Vazhkai from Pudhiya Mugam(1993)

5. Poraale Ponnuthayi from Karuthamma (1994)

6. Mel Isaiyae from Mr. Romeo (1996)

7. Mana Madurai from Minsara Kanavu (1997)

8. Poongkaatrilae from Uyire (1998)

9. Kadhal Kaditham from Jodi (1999)

10. Daandiyaa Aattamumaada from Kadhalar Dhinam (1999)

11 .Enna Vilaiyazhagae from Kadhalar Dhinam (1999)

12. Yengue Yenuthu Kavithai from Kandukondain Kandukondain (2000)

13. Nadhiye Nadhiye from Rhythm (2000)

14. Machha Machhiniye from Star (2001)

15. Theendi Theendi from Bala (2002)

16. Sandhippoma from Enakku 20 Unakku 18 (2003)

17. Ennuyir Thozhi from Kangalal Kaidhu Sei (2004)

Unni Menon – Other Major Tamil Hits

1. Pon Maane Kobam Eno from Oru Kaidhiyin Diary (1984)

2. Chevendi Pooveduthen from Gokulam (1993)

3. Kannukkunne Unnai from Pennin Manathai Thottu (2000)

4. Karu Karu Karupayi from Eazhaiyin Sirippil (2000)

5. Un Perai Sonnale Song from Dumm Dumm Dumm (2001)

6. Minnalai Pidithu from Shahahan (2001)

7. Kannale Miya Miya from Alli Thandha Vaanam (2001)

8. Enge Andha Vennila from Varushamellam Vasantham (2002)

9. Yaar Intha Devathai from Unnai Ninaythu (2002)

10. Ennai Thalattum from Unnai Ninaithu (2002)

11. Sil Sil from Unnai Ninaithu (2002)

12. Penne Neeyum from Priyamaana Thozhi (2003)

13. Nenjod from Kaadhal Kondein (2003)

13. Ninaivugal Nenjinil from Autograph (2004)

14. Partha Mudhal from Vettaiyaadu Vilaiyaadu (2006)

15. Santhikkadha Kangalil from 180 (2011)

Malayalam Hit Songs of Unni Menon

1. Olangal Thaalam Thullumbol from Kadathu (1981)

2. Thozhuthu Madangum Sandhyayumetho from Aksharangal (1984)

3. Chandanakkuri from Orunokku Kaanan (1985)

4. Inakkili from Orunokku Kaanan (1985)

5. Thennalaadum Poomarathin from Kandu Kandarinju (1985)

6. Thayampookkal Thedum from Kandu Kandarinju (1985)

7. Vinnile Ghandarva from Raajavinte Makan (1986)

8. Poomkatte from Shyama (1986)

9. Poove Arimullappoove from Ennu Nathante Nimmi (1986)

10. Yadukula Gopike from Vazhiyorakazchakal (1987)

11. Ekantha Chandrike from In Harihar Nagar (1990)

12. Saarangi Maarilaniyum from Pavakkoothu (1990)

13. Pookkalam Vannu from Godfather (1991)

14. Chellakkattin Pallitherin from Mimics Parade (1991)

15. Rojappoo Kavilathu from Chandamama (1999)

16. Oru Chembaneer from Sthithi (2003)

17. Chitti Kuruvi from Mullavalliyum Thenmavum (2003)

18. Omkaram from Veruthe Oru Bharya (2008)

19. Mazhaneer Thullikal from Beautiful (2011)

20. Maranamethunna from Spirit (2012)

21. Thiruvaavaniraavu from Jacobinte Swargarajyam (2016)

22. Rathipushpam from Bheeshma Parvam (2022)

Unni Menon – Some interesting and lesser-known facts

1. Unni Menon worked as a track singer during his early days.

2. His name was credited as Vijay for Illayaraja’s song, “Pon maane kobam eno” – his single hit from Tamil cinema in the 1980s.

3. Thozhuthu Madangum Sandhyayumetho – was a track he sang for the movie. This song was originally meant for Yesudas. But later, his version was retained.

4. He did the playback singing of Mammootty’s first-ever song, Valakilukkam Oru Valakilukkam from the film Munnettam (1981). Years later, he rendered his voice for the chartbuster song – Rathipushpam from Mammootty-starrer Bheeshma Parvam.

5. Quite co-incidence, Unni Menon did the playback singing of Mohanlal’s first ever song, Vaanil Paayum Panimukil from the film, Thenum Vayambum (1981). It was a duet with Jency Anthony. Rani Padmini was Mohanlal’s co-star in this song. The song was composed by Raveendran with the lyrics written by Bichu Thirumala.

6. He rendered his voice for more than 4000 songs, belonging to all South Indian languages.

7. While he was studying at Government Victoria College, Palakkad, he was a part of the college football team. He also participated in singing competitions. In those days, he was more interested in football than singing.

8. When he was staying in Chennai, he got an opportunity to perform in the Ayyappa temple of Mahalingapuram. His friend Mohan Raj suggested that he change the name to Unni Menon. ‘Unni’ was his petname till then. He was not active in the film industry back then.

9. He won the Tamil Nadu state film award for best playback singer twice. But he never won the same for Kerala State Film Awards.

10. A. R. Rahman once recorded a Sufi song in Unni Menon’s voice for his personal collection. It was not even given to the singer.