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{{Use dmy dates|date=May 2018}}
{{Use Indian English|date=May 2018}}
{{Infobox musical artist
| name = Arjun Menon
| image = Singer-Arjun-Menon-Latest-Stills.png
| image_size =
| landscape = 
| caption =
| birth_date = {{birth date and age|df=yes|1987|12|19}}
| birth_place = Chennai
| genre = Film Music, Indian Classical Music
| occupation = Singer, Musician
| instrument = Vocalist, Acoustic Guitar
| years_active = 2011 – present
}}

'''Arjun Menon''' (born 19 December 1987) is an Indian playback singer and songwriter based in [[New York City]] and [[London]].<ref>{{cite news|title=Music is Everything to me|url=http://archives.deccanchronicle.com/130312/entertainment-tvmusic/article/music-everything-me-arjun-menon|newspaper=[[Deccan Chronicle]]|date=12 March 2013|access-date=15 September 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140924041027/http://archives.deccanchronicle.com/130312/entertainment-tvmusic/article/music-everything-me-arjun-menon|archive-date=24 September 2014|url-status=dead}}</ref> He has sung for top music directors including [[A.R. Rahman]], [[Harris Jayaraj]], [[G. V. Prakash Kumar|G.V Prakash]] etc. Arjun started his music career performing [[Carnatic music]] as a solo artiste and subsequently performed several shows across the country collaborating with top musicians. He sang the re-recording song "Kulu Kulu Venpani Pola"<ref name=TOI1>{{cite news|title=Harris turns lyricist!|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/hindi/music/news-and-interviews/Harris-turns-lyricist/articleshow/7806477.cms|newspaper=[[Times of India]]|date=29 March 2011|first=Sreedhar|last=Pillai|accessdate=18 May 2018}}</ref> for the movie ''[[Engeyum Kadhal]]'' which was composed and penned by [[Harris Jayaraj]]. His playblack debut and big break came with the song "Latcham Calorie" from the movie [[Yaan (film)|Yaan]] in 2014.

==Early life==

Arjun was born on 19 December 1987 in Chennai into a family of music connoisseurs. His parents, [[Prem Menon]] and Usha discovered his love for music at a young age and initiated his vocal training when he was four and a half years old. Arjun started learning Carnatic music under several gurus including Ajay Namboodiri and Prof. Ramamoorthy Rao (a disciple of [[Bhimsen joshi|Bhimsen Joshi]]). He was also under the tutelage of [[Chitravina Ravikiran]] for a brief period of time. He performed his first stage show at the age of five.

He performed several Carnatic concerts from 1997 to 2003 and even performed at the prestigious Tiruvaiyyaru [[Tyagaraja Aradhana]] in the years 1999 and 2000. During his schooling, Arjun was exposed to several genres of music which fascinated and inspired him to learn to play the [[acoustic guitar]]. He also won several competitions organized by groups like the Sangam Kala Group and The Annual Swathi Smrithi Music Competition.

In 2001, Arjun played the role of Ayyappan in the Malayalam serial "Swami Ayyappan". The serial was directed by the legendary director [[P. N. Menon (director)]] and was telecast on [[Asianet (TV channel)|Asianet]]. His role was appreciated by the critiques. However, Arjun decided to focus on music and give up acting.

While at college, Arjun took part in several inter college culturals and won several awards like "Best vocalist" at "Pradharshini-`06" conducted by the [[Kilpauk Medical College]] in the year 2006. He also won the prestigious Light Music Vocal - Solo title at "[[Saarang]] -`09" organized by [[Indian Institute of Technology, Chennai]] which made him a common name in the college cultural circle. While at college. he formed the band "Clarity in Confusion" which one several awards including "Best Band" award at "Milan `08", organized by [[SRM Institute of Science and Technology]]. The band performs shows regularly till date.

Arjun completed his school education at Chinmaya Vidyalaya, Taylors Road in 2005 where he was awarded the Best Performer in Co-curricular activities and went on to complete his Bachelors in Electrical and Electronics Engineering from [[Sri Venkateswara College of Engineering]] in 2009. He also holds a PGDBA in Operations Management from SCDL, Pune. Arjun joined [[Cognizant]] in 2009 after completing his graduation. Apart from English, he speaks Tamil and Malayalam fluently, and sings in Tamil, Hindi, Telugu, Malayalam and Urdu.

==Career==

===Music===
Arjun's music career started at a young age. He started performing carnatic music concerts across the country as a solo artiste and often accompanying his gurus. Arjun appeared on the television channel - [[Zee Tamil]]`s unplugged music show - "Isai Unplugged" in 2010. His performance was widely appreciated by the audience. The show ran for over a year where he collaborated with several prominent musicians. He featured in the second season of the show in 2013 where he performed with his band CinC. He has performed across India, the US and Canada.

His voice first featured in the Kollywood movie [[Engeyum Kadhal]] in 2011 when he crooned the re-recording song Kulu Kulu Venpani Pola composed and penned by [[Harris Jeyaraj]].<ref name=TOI1 /> Arjun continued singing chorus and track sessions for several top music directors including [[G.V. Prakash]] for movies like [[Saguni]] and [[Thalaiva]] for the next couple of years.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://archives.deccanchronicle.com/130312/entertainment-tvmusic/article/music-everything-me-arjun-menon |title=Archived copy |access-date=15 September 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140924041027/http://archives.deccanchronicle.com/130312/entertainment-tvmusic/article/music-everything-me-arjun-menon |archive-date=24 September 2014 |url-status=dead }}</ref> During this period, he collaborated with several independent musicians and rendered his voice for several gospel and devotional albums.

Arjun's playback debut came in 2014 with the song "Latcham Calorie" from the movie [[Yaan (film)|Yaan]]. The song received great reviews from both critics and music lovers and found its place in the [[Radio Mirchi]] Top 20 Tamil Songs (peak position 5),<ref>{{cite news|title=Radio Mirchi Top20 Tamil Songs|url=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/musicchart/1081479906.cms?chartid=5&periodtype=4&date=2014-10-10}}</ref> [[Suryan FM]] Top 20 Tamil (peak position 1),<ref>{{cite news|title=Suryan FM Top 20 Songs|url=http://www.suryanfm.in/trichy/Chart/index.aspx?i=2|access-date=13 November 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141113144913/http://www.suryanfm.in/trichy/Chart/index.aspx?i=2|archive-date=13 November 2014|url-status=dead}}</ref> Behindwoods Top 10 Songs (peak position 4) <ref>{{cite news|title=Behindwoods Top 20 Songs|url=http://www.behindwoods.com/tamil-movies-cinema-news-14/behindwoods-presents-the-top-10-songs-of-the-week-oct-4th-oct-10th.html}}</ref> and ranked no 3 in Qatar [[iTunes]] Top 100 <ref>{{cite news|title=Latcham Calorie ranks No 3 on iTunes|url=https://twitter.com/ihotmusiccharts/status/483141205069275136}}</ref>

Arjun has performed over 400 shows across the country and has judged music competitions at various corporate and educational institutions like Anna University, SIET, Meenakshi Dental College, AJUBA,<ref>{{cite news|title=Arjun Judges at Ajuba|url=http://www.ajubanet.net/blog/18-icons/69-culturals-e28093-extravaganza-redefined-2}}</ref> Cognizant and Ethiraj College. He regularly performs gigs with his melodic rock band - CinC.

===IT===
Arjun serves as a Business Analyst at Cognizant serving Fortune 500 Retail & Consumer Goods clients in Requirement Elicitation, Analyzing and identifying inefficiencies in client processes and systems and recommending efficient solutions. He joined Cognizant after graduating in 2009.

==Discography==

===Film Songs===

{| class="wikitable sortable"
! scope="col" | Year
! scope="col" | Song
! scope="col" | Film
! scope="col" | Language
! scope="col" | Music Director
! scope="col" | Co-Singers
! scope="col" | Lyricist

|-
| 2011 || "Kulu Kulu Venpani Pola" || ''[[Engeyum Kadhal]]''|| Tamil || [[Harris Jayaraj]]|| Solo || [[Harris Jayaraj]]
|-
| 2012 || "Mila Mila" || Ninnu Choosthe Love Vasthundi || Telugu || [[Harris Jayaraj]] || Solo || [[Vanamali]]
|-
| 2014 || "Latcham Calorie" || ''[[Yaan (film)|Yaan]]'' || Tamil || [[Harris Jayaraj]] || [[Chinmayi]] || [[Pa. Vijay]]
|-
|rowspan=2| 2015 || "Neerambal Poovae" || ''[[Nannbenda]]'' || Tamil || [[Harris Jayaraj]] || MC. Vickey || [[Thamarai]]
|-
| "Laksha Calorie" || ''Nene'' || Telugu|| [[Harris Jayaraj]] || [[Chinmayi]] || [[Vanamali]]
|-
|}

===Title Songs for Television Soaps===

{| class="wikitable sortable"
! scope="col" | Year
! scope="col" | Song
! scope="col" | Program
! scope="col" | Language
! scope="col" | Channel
! scope="col" | Notes
|-
|rowspan=3| 2012 || "Thumbikkai Azhaga" || Shree Ganesh || Tamil || Zee Tamil||
|-
| "Title Song" || Olimayamaana Yedhirkaalam || Instrumental|| Zee Tamil ||Credited as composer
|-
| "Ulahi Ulahi" || Merku Mambalathil Oru Kadhal || Tamil || Zee Tamil ||
|}

==Personal life==
Arjun is married to Preethi, a software professional. They have a daughter Aria.

==Voluntary Work & Fund Raising==
While at school, Arjun was a member of several non profit voluntary organizations including the [[National Cadet Corps (India)|National Cadet Corps]] where he held the rank of Sergeant. He was also an active member of the Junior Red Cross, a sub-division of the [[Indian Red Cross]]. While at college, he was the President of the college chapter of the national professional non-profit organization [[Indian Society for Technical Education]] and was an active member of the college Rotract Club.

Arjun has performed at several fund raiser shows for non profit organizations including the [[Rotary International]], [[Round Table (club)|Round Table]] and the TANKER foundation. He regularly performs for children with special needs and has also performed at orphanages like [[Udavum Karangal]].<ref>{{cite news|title=Hearts of Gold|url=https://sites.google.com/site/udavumkarangal/february08news}}</ref>

==References==
{{Reflist}}

==External links==
*{{facebook|singer.arjun.menon}}
*{{Twitter}}

{{authority control}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Menon, Arjun}}
[[Category:1987 births]]
[[Category:Living people]]
[[Category:Songwriters from New York (state)]]
[[Category:American male singers of Indian descent]]
[[Category:American singers of Indian descent]]
[[Category:Tamil playback singers]]
[[Category:Telugu playback singers]]
[[Category:Singers from Chennai]]
[[Category:21st-century American singers]]
[[Category:21st-century male singers]]

Arjun Menon - Revision history

>PrimeBOT at 01:24, 16 May 2021