Vibrant theatre songs of Thoppil Anto enliven patients

It was a trip down memory lane for patients at the Government Hospital here when renowned theatre and playback singer Thoppil Anto rendered famous songs from yesteryear Malayalam movies and dramas.
Anto also shared interesting anecdotes from his theatre life. His performance,which was part of a series of programmes organised every Wednesday under the 'Arts and Medicine' project of Kochi Biennale Foundation (KBF), created a sense of vibrancy and nostalgia among the audience.
"Every living being on Earth falls sick. Ailments or diseases should never dispirit us and we should not allow illness to affect our mind", said Thoppil Anto.

Though Anto himself is a heart patient, he danced to the music as audience cheered.
He sang some old film and drama songs, including Pravachakanmare parayu from movie "Anubhavangal Palichakal", Madhurikkum ormakale from drama "Jananee Janmabhumi" and Kathu sookshichoru from movie "Nayaru Pidicha Pulival".
Thoppil Anto has a towering presence in Kerala's music field, especially in theatre songs and light music.

In a career spanning five decades, he has earned several awards and recognitions, both at home and aboard, including the Kerala Sangeetha Nataka Academy award for light music (1982), the Pravasi Pranava Dhwani Puraskar (2010) and Changampuzha Samskarika Kendram award.

He was a playback singer for several films such as Father Damien (1963), Anubhavangale Nandi (1976), Sneham Oru Pravaham (1979) and Veenapoovu (1982).
Anto has also served as a light music artist with All India Radio Thrissur in the 1960s.