Oduvil Unnikrishnan Biography

Oduvil Unnikrishnan was an award-winning Malayalam movie actor known for his versatile acting skills. He was noted as a serious as well as a comic actor.

Early Life

Oduvil Unnikrishnan was born on 13 February, 1944, in Wadakkanchery, Thrissur, Kerala. His uncle Sarasakavi Oduvil Unnikrishnan Menon was a noted Malayalam poet. Unnikrishnan was interested in music since his childhood and he learned vocal music, rhythm instruments like Mridangam and Tabla. His trainer in vocal music was Kalamandalam Vasudeva Panikker.

With his knowledge in various 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. However, he had to do many fill-in roles in some plays as well. That was his first experience in acting.

Film Career

Oduvil Unnikrishnan debuted in 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 Kesavan, directed by Bharathan and as Subbaiyer in Sarapanjaram, directed by Hariharan.

He earned public recognition through various 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, Yodha, Ponmuttayidunna Thattan, Oru Cheru Punchiri, and Achuvinte Amma.

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.

Death

Oduvil Unnikrishnan was suffering from kidney problems. He underwent dialysis in a few hospitals in Malappuram and Thrissur. Later, he was attended at 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.