Thrikkur (Thrissur): Tony Vattakuzhy, a renowned dubbing artist and the unmistakable voice behind thousands of advertisements, documentaries and films, passed away at the age of 63. A native of Kalloor, Tony was a commanding presence in the world of voiceovers, lending his voice in 14 languages and earning the ‘Voice of God’ Award from the Syro-Malabar Church.

His journey to becoming one of India's most recognisable voices was anything but ordinary. As a child, Tony struggled with a speech impediment, often mocked by classmates. It was a nun’s encouragement to read the Book of Genesis that helped him overcome his stammer and embrace the power of words.

However, his first-ever public announcement took an unexpected turn—so powerful was his voice that when he promoted a Hindu Mahasammelan and Youth Convention through 10 vehicles across the city, the District Collector intervened and banned the announcement. Ironically, just days later, he was invited to Madras (now Chennai) to lend his voice to a commercial, marking the beginning of an illustrious career.

Tony's deep and resonant voice became synonymous with major events. When Mother Teresa passed away, it was his voice that narrated her funeral procession and final rites for All India Radio (AIR), leaving millions in tears. His contributions to the entertainment industry were vast—he was the dubbing voice for the villain JP in Prithviraj’s film Oozham and the CBI director Raghavan in KGF.

For years, Tony’s authoritative voice echoed through the Thrissur Pooram exhibition grounds, captivating audiences. Apart from voice work, he was also a managing partner at Century Associates, a leading vehicle dealership.

He is survived by wife Reena, children Mona and late Liz, and sons-in-law Prashant Shah and Sijo Kothanickal. His funeral will take place on Monday at 9. 30 am at the Kalloor West Holy Mary Rosary Church Cemetery.