C. O. Anto

CO Anto was a Malayalam film singer during the 1960s and 1970s. Born in Kochi, Ernakulam district, Kerala, CO Anto was a playback singer in Carnatic music. CO Anto began his career by singing in the film Kadalamma in 1963.

His first song was Kummiyadikkuvin. After this, he continued singing regularly. In 1964 he sang the song Unnanam Uranganam of movie Oral Koodi Kallanaayi which was followed by Veedinu Ponmani of Kudumbini. Again in 1965, he gave his voice to Thinthaare Thinthaare of Kaattuthurasi.

Later Pathupara Vithupaadu of Inapraavukal and Padachavanundenkil of Daaham also released in the same year. The year, 1968 was one of the most fantastic years of his entire career in singing. He sang some songs which include Kadukolam Theeyundengil of the film Thirichadi, Kakkakkarumbiikale of Ezhu Raathrikal, Thedukayaanellaarum of Pengal.

In the movie Asuravithu, he gave his voice to a total of three songs which include Kunnathoru, Kaavundhu, Theyyam Theyyam and Kunkuma Maram Vetti. He also sang the song Panamoru Ballaatha of the film Laksh Prabhu in the same year followed by Icecream, Pachilakkili, and Sindabad of Vidyaarthi.

He also sang Bhoogolam Thiriyunnu of Padunna Puzha and Anme Mahaakaaliyamme of Love in Kerala in the same year. Mr. CO Anto sang a total of 178 Malayalam songs in about 160 films. Some of his songs which became very famous in South India are Madurikkum Ormakale, Ethinu Pazhsruthi, Vasantharavin, Anthichenkathiravan, Thanka Kalthala, Thekkan Kaatte, Kannillathoru, Chingakkulirkatte Agnipushpam, Kadalppalam, and Vasntharavin. During the 1970s, 1980s and 1990s he worked as a playback singer in few music departments which include Maravil Thirivu Sookshikkuka (1972), Prathigna (1983), Itha Innu Muthal and Aarorumariyathe (1984), Eeran Sandhya and Vellarikka Pattanam (1985), Ithile Iniyum Varu and Nandi Veendum Varika (1986), Janmandharam (1988), My Dear Muthachan (1992), Samagamam (1993) and Aniyathi Pravu Click to look into! >> Read More... (1997).

Also, he gave soundtrack in Allahu Akbar and Aniyathi Pravu. As a dubbing artist, he gave his voice for Marmaram (1983). He has worked as an actor in Odayil Ninnu which released in 1965 and Ezhupunna Tharakan that came out in the late 90s. Unfortunately, this versatile singer died on 24th February 2001.