Shri. V. Viswanatha Menon, popularly known as ‘Ambadi Viswam’, was born on 15th January 1927 as the son of Ambadi Shri. Narayana Menon and Vadakkoot Smt. Lekshmikutty Amma.

An Advocate and a renowned leader, Shri. Menon entered politics during his student life at the age of 13. He was suspended from Sri Rama Varma High School during the Quit India movement , and later in 1947, expelled from Maharajas College, Ernakulam. Shri. Menon was also imprisoned for three years for various political reasons including the Edapally Police Station Raid Case and went underground for more than two years.

Shri. Menon was elected to Lok Sabha in 1967 and was also a member of Rajya Sabha from 1974 to 1980. Shri. Menon subsequently became elected, also as a member of Kerala Legislative Assembly in 1987 from Thrippunithura Constituency as a CPI (M) candidate. Shri. Menon served as the Minister for Finance from 2-4-1987 to 17-6-1991, in the Ministry headed by Shri. E.K. Nayanar.

He has held other important positions as well, at different times , and was Member, Ernakulam Municipal Council from 1956 to 1958, Member, Cochin University Senate, Member, All India Working Committee, CITU, and Member, State Committee of CPI (M).

Smt. Prabhavathi Menon is his wife , and they have two sons.