Satheesh Menon

Satheesh Menon was born to late Capt. T Balachandran and Choppulil Kumudam on 10 March 1950 at Irinjalakuda in Thrissur District of Kerala. He did his high schooling atNational High School, Irinjalakuda and then took his degree from Christ College, Irinjalakuda.

During his school/college days he actively participated in all extra curricular activities and won many prizes and was the Senior Under Officer in National Cadet Corps (India)|NCC. Attended several camps including Army Attachment Camp with Gurkha Rifles and commanded Maharashtra and Kerala Battalions. Remembered him as a descilinery and strict Senior Under Officer. Even though was active in student politics,preferred theater activities. His character in "Agnipralayam" as DYSP John and Prof Lukkose in "Kaliyugam" was well received by the college audience. In 1973 he moved to Bombay. During his official work as an auditor, he found his passion in continuing his favorate theater life. During his five and half year's life in Bombay, he captured the hearts of entire malayalee drama lovers through his various versatile characters with various drama troups in different parts of Maharashtra. In 1978 December he moved to Dubai, UAE to work in Novotel (International group of hotels) and spent 35 years of career in the Middle East. During this period he was active on the stage and some of the plays worth mentioning are Olipporu, Vighraham, Yaathra, Brahmanam with T. G. Ravi, Onnam Sakshi, Samathalam, Ponnuvilayicha thampuram, Uthrarayanapakshi with Sabita Anand & [Kunjali Marakkar,Kudeecharan, Vilapappakshikal, Karutha Paksham, Ayodhyayile Chuvanna Mannu, Kiratheeyam,Chennaikkal Adhava Pattinimaranam, Ambra,Samharam, Sarghakshetram, Maadreeghothram,to name a few and so many skits. He has dubbed for various ads back in the early 90's, some of them are Lipton tea (voice), Rainbow Milk (voice and video, Swiss Arabian Prfume (Voice and Video). The achievement is singularly credit worthy because Menon has had to juggle a busy professional career as Finance Manager at the Marbella Resort in Sharjah and the responsibilities of family life. Ever modest AbOUT his achievements, he credits his family for his success. "My wife Sunanda and kids have been very understanding and supportive. I used to take them with me for endless rehearsals during the weekends in Abu Dhabi and Al Ain," he recalls. He was a Recipient of several awards for his recital of famous poems, especially in ACKAF stages.

Career

His major roles on stage were noticed which paved way to the Malayalam television industry in meha serials. He attracted critics reviews for his performances as Highlight Mathachan in Manal Nagaram by Shyamaprasad with [Late Ratheesh and wellknown cine artists, David Philip inDream City with Devan,Asha Sarath, by Ashok R Nath which was shot extensively in the Middle East, Azad Mohammed in Venalkalam with Siddique by Suresh Unnithan, Vikramman in Chankrangal etc. His characters in telifilms like Prahelika,Manalkattu, Arppu, Meghangal,Oru Puzha Ozhukum Vazhi, Arabia 20/20, He has won numerous stage awards for his performance recognised by Amol Palekar & Prof.Narendraprasad&Bharath Murali &Pro Vayala Vasudevan Pillai to name a few.

Even though he shared the frames with Mammukka in Dubai,the turning point in his life came in the role of a Pakistani supervisor in the Malayalam super hit Arabikatha directed by Lal Jose. Later he played vital roles in Mizhikal Sakshi by Ashok R Nath, Diamond Necklace by Lal Jose again, role of Philip Koshy in the movie Red Wine directed by Salam Bappu and Persiakaran, Thirunyhida Kathal Thiruda (Thami) directed by Ashok R Nath, Rajeev Nath's Rasam featuring superstar Mohanlal in the lead role. His Kalyanism, directed by Anu Ram will be releasing soon. He is currently acting in Roopesh Thikkodi's Mistake. He later returned to Kerala in mid 2013 to actively contribute to the Malayalam movie industry. He lives with his wife Sunanda (grand niece of late Panampilly Govinda Menon) in Irinjalakuda and got 2 daughters both married and settled in the UK & the UAE. His only son is working in Dubai. In 1978 he was selected for the documentary by the Central Board of Film division, Bombay with A grade. Menon's tryst with the world of theatre began over 45 years ago during his college days at the Christ College in Kerala, which he continued during his sojourn in Mumbai. From 1973 to 1978, he built a formidable reputation on the amateur Malayalam stage in Mumbai enacting hundreds of powerful roles like Raman Kutty in Mizhikal Vazhikal,Thomas in Agniparvatham, Mohan in Pathucentu, Lal in Bramanam, Dr Sreelamn In Vellappoocha, Kaliyappan in Vellappoocha, Bishop in Guerrilla, Jayan in Sathyameva Jayathe, Dr Stephen in Samudayam, Dr Jose in Samasya, Madhu in Ankam, Rajasekharan in Ghandeevam, etc. His theatrical tour de force which marked him out as an actor's actor was the character of Ismail Hassan in Neram Iruttatte (an adaption ofFredseric knot's Wait Until Dark) directed by Venu, a product of the National School of Drama

He caught the eye of Amol Palekar, the renowned Hindi and Marathi actor-director, for his acting in Ankam. Documentaries, video films, ad jingles... from villains, character and lead roles – Menon has done it all. A six- footer with a captivating presence and voice, Menon is a director's dream come true. Even while leading an active social life, he believes in keeping fit through regular workouts at the gym and swimming. A person who has achieved a perfect balance between work and his chosen art.

Decades of dedicated effort has not satiated this artiste a wee bit. He is still thirsty for roles and to conquer greater heights –now on the big screen. Offers have come from tinsel town earlier but in the hustle and bustle of expatriate life, Menon was unable to take it up seriously.

A major role in a major production is all what Menon now needs to achieve stardom –a lucky break where he would not be found wanting at all.

Filmography as a Movie Actor

Awards & Recognition

The years of sweat and dedication has not gone unnoticed by an appreciative fan following in the community.May be he is the only expatriate artist who bagged dozens of awards continuously from the drama competitions and from various organizations for his contribution to the theater activities. During his college days and local ametuer dramas he bagged best performance awards.

Indeed ever since he embarked on his theatrical career in the UAE, he has been amassing awards: The Satyan Award from Abu Dhabi in 1987; Best Actor and Best Director Award from Sharjah in 1988; Kottarakkara Award for Best Actor from Abu Dhabi; Best Actor Award from Al Ain Indian Social Centre in 1989; Bharat P.J. Antony Award from Sharjah in 1991.

Among these awards the one that is most significant and close to his heart is the 1991 Abu Dhabi Malayali Samajam drama festival award where the judge was the famed actor and literary personality, Prof. Narendra Prasad. There were 12 plays from various emirates and around 150 actors in the competition. The legendary role of Kunhali Marakkar in the play Puthuppanam Kotta staged by Abu Dhabi Yuva Prathiba, was made memorable by Menon through his inimitable characterisation and dialogue delivery.

References

http://www.imdb.com/name/nm3481016/bio?ref_=nm_ov_bio_sm
https://www.facebook.com/satheeshtheactor
http://gulfnews.com/news/gulf/uae/general/satish-c-menon-local-stage-artiste-1.436229
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Zcr_8yhH5P4

External links

• Satheesh Menon Official website
• Satheesh Menon Official Facebook page

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