Oduvil Unnikrishnan, Malayalam Movie Actor (13 February 1944–27 May 2006)

Oduvil Unnikrishnan (13 February 1944–27 May 2006) was an award-winning Malayalam movie actor 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.

Oduvil Unnikrishnan was born on 13 February 1944 in Wadakkanchery, Thrissur, Kerala, India to Vadakkancheri Enkakkatt Oduvil Veettil Krishna Menon and Parukkutty Amma. His uncle Sarasakavi Oduvil Unnikrishnan Menon was a noted Malayalam poet. 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 performed many fill-in roles in plays as well.That was his first experience in acting.

[edit]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 inSarapanjaram, 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 a idaykka player in Devasuram, directed by I. V. Sasi.

He won the Kerala State Film Award for Best Actor once and for Best Supporting Actor twice.

[edit]Death

Oduvil Unnikrishnan was suffering from kidney problems. 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 renal failure. His body was taken to his birthplace at Wadakanchery, Thrissur and cremated at Ivarmadam, Pampady, nearby.

[edit]Awards

[edit]Kerala State Film Awards

Year	Award	Film	Director
1995	Best Supporting Actor	Kathapurushan	Adoor Gopalakrishnan
1996	Best Supporting Actor	Thooval Kottaram	Sathyan Anthikkad
2002	Best Actor	Nizhalkuthu	Adoor Gopalakrishnan