Oduvil Unnikrishnan

Oduvil Unnikrishnan (13 February 1943 – 27 May 2006) was an Indian actor who worked in Malayalam cinema. He has portrayed supporting roles in both dramatic and comedic roles. He is a four-time winner of Kerala State Film Awards.

Early life
Oduvil Unnikrishnan Menon was born on 13 February 1943 in Wadakkanchery, Thrissur, Kerala, India to Vadakkancheri Enkakkatt Oduvil Veettil Krishna Menon and Parukkutty Amma, as their youngest son. He had his primary education from Government Boys' High School, Wadakkanchery. His uncle Sarasakavi Oduvil Kunhikrishna Menon was a noted Malayalam writer. Unnikrishnan was interested in music since his childhood, and he learned vocal music and percussion instruments like mridangam and tabla. His trainer in vocal music was Kalamandalam Vasudeva Panikker. With his knowledge of music instruments, he joined some orchestra groups. He later joined renowned Malayalam theatres like K.P.A.C. and Kerala Kalavedi. His major job in those theatres was that of a tablist. He also sang many songs and composed songs for many albums, like 'Parasuram Express' an album named after the train through the places where it goes. He performed many fill-in roles in plays as well. That was his first experience in acting.

Film career
Oduvil Unnikrishnan debuted the film industry in the late 1970s with a role in Darshanam, directed by P. N. Menon. His second film was Chenda, directed by A. Vincent. His early notable roles were that of a mahout in Guruvayur Keshavan, directed by Bharathan and as Subbaiyer in Sarapanjaram, directed by Hariharan. He earned public recognition through character roles in films directed by Thoppil Bhasi, Hariharan and Sathyan Anthikkad. He has acted in more than 400 films. His memorable roles include those in Nizhalkuthu, Kathapurushan, Thooval Kottaram, Sargam, Yodha, Ponmuttayidunna Tharavu, Oru Cheru Punchiri, Aaram Thamburan and Manassinakkare. He could even make very brief roles like that of an idaykka player in Devasuram, directed by I. V. Sasi very memorable. He was regularly cast in films with Jayaram as the lead hero.

He composed music for an album named Parasuram Express (1984) to lyrics written by Bichu Thirumala and an unreleased film named Sarvam Saha directed by Ravi Gupthan. He won the Kerala State Film Award for Best Actor once and for Best Supporting Actor twice.

Personal life
Unnikrishnan married Padmajam in 1975. They have two daughters, Padmini and Shalini.

Oduvil Unnikrishnan was suffering from kidney problems since 2000. He underwent dialysis at hospitals in Malappuram and Thrissur. Later, he was admitted to a private hospital in Kozhikode. He died there on 27 May 2006 at 6 am due to kidney failure. His body was taken to his birthplace at Wadakanchery, Thrissur and cremated at Ivarmadam, Pampady, nearby. Oduvil Mayatha Bhavangal written by E.Jayachandran is the biography of the actor published by Chintha Publishers.

As a composer

 * Parasuram Express (1984 album): lyrics by Bichu Thirumala; singers K. P. Brahmanandan, K. S. Chitra, Krishnachandran, Lathika.
 * Sarvam Saha (unreleased movie) directed by Ravi Gupthan.
 * Malayalam Basic Devotional SREE PADAM {1984 ALBUM}: lyrics by Bharanikkavu sivakumar: singers P. Jayachandran, Dhanya, Sunanda

HMV LP RECORD SIDE 1 [S2XJT. 10651] SONGS:
 * 1, VIGHNESHWARA SIVANANDANA
 * 2, VRISCHIKA KRISHNASHTAMI
 * 3, MANINAGANGALE
 * 4, MOOKAMBIKE
 * 5, ASHTAKSHARAMANTHRADHWANI

HMV LP RECORD SIDE 2 [S2XJT. 10652] SONGS:
 * 1, GOKULASHTAMI
 * 2, PAVIZHAMALARUKAL
 * 3, OCHIRAVAZHUM
 * 4, DEVIKANYAKUMARI
 * 5, VADAKKANTHARAKAVILULSAVAM