Oduvil Unnikrishnan

Oduvil Unnikrishnan (13 February 1943 – 27 May 2006) was an Indian film actor. He was known for his versatile acting skills, shown in his portrayal of classical ancient aristocratic personalities in Malayalam cinema with his unique provincial linguistic style, expressions and dialect. He was noted as a serious as well as comic actor. 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.

Early life
Oduvil Unnikrishnan was born on 13 February 1943 in Wadakkanchery, Thrissur, Kerala, India to Vadakkancheri Enkakkatt Oduvil Veettil Krishna Menon and Parukkutty Amma. He had his primary education from Government Boys' High School, Wadakkanchery. His uncle Sarasakavi Oduvil Unnikrishna Menon was a noted Malayalam dancer. 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 won the Kerala State Film Award for Best Actor once and for Best Supporting Actor twice.

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

Death
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.

Filmography

 * Ayirathil Oruvan (2009) - posthumously
 * Seetha Kalyanam (2009)- posthumously
 * Sanmanasullavan Appukuttan (2009)- Pisharadi Mashu (posthumously)
 * Magic Lamp (2008) - Achutha Menon (posthumously)
 * Rasathanthram (2006) as Ganeshan Chettiyar
 * Chandrolsavam (2005)
 * December (2005)
 * Choliyattam (2005)
 * Achuvinte Amma (2005) as Abdullah
 * Mayilattam (2004) as Kannan Mash
 * Runway (2004) as Krishnan Nair
 * Nizhalkoothu (2004)
 * Nerkku Nere (2004)
 * Vamanapuram Bus Route (2004) as Appukuttan
 * Maratha Nadu (2004) as Raman
 * Gaurisankaram (2003)
 * Manassinakkare (2003) as Sreedharan
 * Anyar (2003)
 * Pattalam (2003) as Narayanan
 * C.I.D. Moosa (2003) as Moolankuzhiyil Prabhakaran
 * Vellithira (2003) as Peppatty Nair
 * Gramaphone (2003) as Paattu Sett
 * Thilakkam (2003) as Govinda Panikkar
 * Choonda (2003) as Vasu
 * Yathrakarude Sradhakku (2002) as K. G. Nambiar
 * Nizhalkuthu (2002) as Kaliyappan the executioner
 * Kadha (2002)
 * Abharana Charthu (2002)
 * Meesha Madhavan (2002) as Achuthan Nampoothiri
 * Malayalimamanu Vanakkam (2002) as Narayana Kurup
 * Sundrapurushan (2001) as Suryanarayanan's Father
 * Narendran Makan Jayakanthan Vaka (2001) as 'Naxalite' Vasu
 * Ee Parakkum Thalika (2001) as Sreedhara Kaimal
 * Megasandesam (2001) as Easwara Varma
 * Rajapattam (2001)
 * Nalacharitham Nalam Divasam (2001)
 * Randam Bhavam (2001) as Easwaran Potty
 * Arayannegalude Veedu (2000) as Sreedharan
 * Darling Darling (2000)
 * Kochu Kochu Santhoshangal (2000) as Shekharan
 * Madhuranombarakattu (2000)
 * Oru Cheru Punchiri (2000)
 * Varnnakazhchakal (2000)
 * Chandamama (1999) as Bullet Achan
 * Deepasthambham Mahascharyam (1999) as Govinda Varma Raja
 * Njangal Santhushtaranu (1999) as Sanjeevan's Father
 * Pallavur Devanarayanan (1999) as Achuthan Marar
 * Udayapuram Sulthan (1999) as College Principal
 * Prem Poojari (1999)
 * Chandamamma (1999)
 * Veendum Chila Veettukaryangal (1999) as Fr. Nedumalam
 * Manthri Kumaran (1998)
 * Meenathil Thalikettu (1998)
 * Kattathoru Penpoovu (1998)
 * Kusruthikuruppu (1998)
 * Mattupetti Machan (1998)
 * Sreekrishnapurathe Nakshathra Thilakkam (1998)
 * Meenakshi Kalyanam (1998) as Adv. K. T. Easwara Pillai
 * Vismayam (1998) as Adhikari
 * Kadhanayakan (1997) as Sankunni
 * Kaliyoonjal (1997)
 * Kudamattam (1997)
 * Aaram Thampuran (1997)
 * Kalyana Uniikal (1997) as Pushkaran Pillai
 * Manthramothiram (1997) as Fr. Vattakuzhi
 * Oral Mathram (1997) as K. P. Pankunny Menon
 * Ullasappoonkattu (1997)
 * Indra Prastham (1996)
 * The Prince (1996/II) as Ram Mohan
 * Udyanapalakan (1996)
 * Kadhapurushan (1996)
 * Dilliwala Rajakumaran (1996) as Rama Varma
 * Kalyana Sowgandhikam (1996) as Murukeshan
 * Sallapam (1996) as Madhava Menon
 * Thooval Kottaram (1996) as Achuthan Marar
 * Sathyabhaamaykkoru Pranayalekhanam (1996) as Warrier
 * Oru Abihibhashakante Case Diary (1995) as Ramavarma Thampuran
 * Aniyan Bava Chetan Bava (1995) as Easwara Pillai
 * Kusruthikaatu (1995) as Dr. K. Gopala Menon
 * Manikya Chempazhukka (1995)
 * Punnaram (1995)
 * Keerthanam (1995)
 * Minnaminuginum Minnukettu (1995)
 * No 1 Snehatheeram Bangalore North (1995)
 * Sindoora Rekha (1995) as Raghavan Nair
 * Sipayi Lahala (1995) as Ratha's Father
 * Sreeragam (1995) as Indu's Father
 * Thirumanassu (1995) as Thirumulpad
 * Vishnu (1994) as Thampi
 * CID Unnikrishnan B.A., B.Ed. (1994)
 * Pingami (1994) as Menon
 * Vardakyapuranam (1994)
 * Bagyavan (1994)
 * Sagaram Sakshi (1994)
 * Parinayam (1994)
 * Sukrutham (1994)
 * Varanamaalyam (1994) as Sankara Pilla
 * Vadhu Doctoranu (1994) as Marar
 * Padheyam (1993) as Keezhseri Nampoothiri
 * Bandhukkal Sathrukkal (1993)
 * Kalippatam (1993)
 * Golanthara Vartha (1993)
 * Ente Sreekuttikku (1993)
 * Oru Kadamkadha Pole (1993)
 * Meleparambil Aanveedu (1993)
 * Bhagyavan (1993) as Vasudevan
 * Devasuram (1993) as Peringodu Sankara Marar
 * Sthalathe Pradhana Payyans (1993) as Poomukhathu Kurup
 * Sthreedhanam (1993)
 * Aayushkalam (1992) as Menon
 * Ellarum Chollanu (1992)
 * Kallanum Policem (1992)
 * Sheveliyar Michael (1992)
 * Yodha (1992)
 * Kamaladalam (1992)
 * Valayam (1992)
 * Kaazhchakkppuram (1992) as Appukuttan Nair
 * My Dear Muthachan (1992) as Factory Worker
 * Nakshthrakoodaram (1992) as Singapore Uncle
 * Oru Kochu Bhoomikulukkam (1992)
 * Pandu Pandoru Rajakumari (1992) as Parameswara Kaimal
 * Sargam (1992) as Valyachan
 * Snehasagaram (1992)
 * Kanalkkattu (1991)
 * Aakasha Kottayile Sultan (1991) as Ramakrishna Iyer
 * Apoorvam Chilar (1991) as T. T. Punnoose
 * Cheppu Kilukkunna Changathi (1991) as Nishkalankan Pillai
 * Ennathe Programme (1991) as Unni's Father
 * Kadinjool Kalyanam (1991) as Pothuval
 * Kankettu (1991) as Ananthan
 * Mookkilyarajyathu (1991) as Doctor
 * Nettippattam (1991) as Avarachan
 * Bharatham (1991)
 * Dhanam (1991)
 * Ennum Nanmakal (1991)
 * Parallel College (1991) as Karunakaran
 * Sandesam (1991) as Achuthan Nair
 * Kuttettan (1990) as Nanu Nair
 * Kalikkalam (1990) as Devassy
 * Gajakesariyogam (1990) as Philipose
 * Kuruppinte Kanakku Pustakom (1990) as Gangadharan
 * Malayogam (1990) as 'Kaliyugam' Paramu Nair
 * Nagarangalil Chennu Raparkam (1990) as Panikkar
 * Sasneham (1990) as Srinivasa Iyer
 * Vidhyarambam (1990)
 * Pavam Pavam Rajakumaran (1990)
 * Thalayanamanthram (1990) as K. G. Poduval
 * Ardham (1989) as Ananthan
 * Oru Vadakkan Veeragatha (1989) as Naduvazhi
 * Mazhavil Kavadi (1989) as Kunjappu
 * Peruvannapurathe Visheshangal (1989) as Appunni Nair
 * Pradeshika Varthakal (1989) as Priest
 * Season (1989) as Thirumeni
 * Ulsavapittennu (1989) as Paramu Nair
 * ''Nagaragalil Chennu Raparkkam (1989)
 * Kireedam (1989)
 * Kalpanan House (1989) as Fr. D'Souza
 * Vadakkunokkiyantram (1989) as Policeman
 * Varavelpu (1989) as Narayanan
 * Vicharana (1988) as Krishnamurthy
 * Dhwani (1988) as Kurpu
 * Kudumba Puranam (1988) as Achuthan
 * Pattana Pravesham (1988) as Home Minister
 * Ponn Muttyidunna Tharavu (1988)
 * Thaniyavarthanam (1987)
 * Kurukkan Rajavayi (1987)
 * Boomiyile Rajakkanmar (1987)
 * P.C. 369 (1987) as Adv. Swaminathan/Dr. Viswanathan/Prof. Kashinathan
 * Kandu Kandarinju (1985) as Hostel Warden
 * Boeing Boeing (1985)
 * Manykkale Thatha (1985) as Damodhara Kurup
 * Vellam (1985) as Moideen
 * Njaan Piranna Naattil (1985) as Menon
 * Appunni (1984) as Kurup Mash
 * Sreekrishna Prundu (1984)
 * Varanmaare Aavashyamundu (1983)
 * Anuraagakkodathi (1982) as Pachu Nair
 * Valarthu Mrugangal (1981) as Govindan
 * Poochasanyasi (1981)
 * Dwanthayudham (1981)
 * Sreeman Sreemathi (1981)
 * Randu Mukhangal (1981)
 * Veliyattam (1981) as Mani
 * Karimpana (1980) as Broker
 * Muthuchippikal (1980) as Keshavan
 * Lava (1980) as Panikkar
 * Vaika Vanna Vasantham (1980) as Gonsalvas
 * Sakthi (1980) as Man at the Toddy Shop
 * Mochanam (1979)
 * Pushyaragam (1979)
 * Sarapanjaram (1979) as Subbaiyer
 * Adimakkachavadam (1978) as Appan/Kudukudu Kuttappan
 * Guruvayoor Keshavan (1977)
 * Agni Nakshatram (1977)
 * Anugraham (1977) as School master Unnnikrishnan
 * Chakravakam (1974) as Mammad
 * Chenda (1973) as Mahout
 * Dharmayudham (1973) as Avarachan
 * Darshanam (1973)

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