Akshaya Mohanty

Akshaya Kumar Mohanty (12 October 1937 – 17 November 2002) was a multi-faceted music personality from Orissa, India. Though most popular as a singer-composer, he was also a lyricist. In addition, he also dabbled in literature by writing a few novels, short stories, poems and a travelogue, some of which were fairly successful.

Popularly known as Khoka Bhai, Mohanty was a playback singer for Oriya movies and a singer of modern light songs, "bhajans", "Odissi", and folk songs. He is often credited with starting the trend of non-film modern light songs in Orissa on contemporary themes. He also created ballads based on popular legends in Orissa.

Life History

Born to Mr. Bichitananda Mohanty and Mrs. Subarna Manjari Mohanty, Akshaya had no formal training in music. Many believe that while his talent and dedication were the reasons behind his ultimate success, lack of formal training in music allowed him to experiment without being bound by the tradition.

At the age of 20, he joined government services in his home city Cuttack, but quit after seven years to devote himself completely to music. By that time, he had been approved by the All India Radio as a lyricist and composer.

He married in 1967 to Mrs. Prabina Mohanty. He has two sons and two daughters

Musical Journey

In a journey lasting close to half a century, Akshaya gave identity and direction to popular Oriya music.

He recorded his first song "Gadiala Bhai Dharichhi Sura Re" in 50s. His first song as a playback singer was "Gori Gori Gori" in the 1959 Oriya movie "Maa". He went on to sing in 129 films.

In 1965, he composed music for the movie "Malajanha", directed by prominent Oriya filmmaker, Mr Nitai Palit. A song from the movie "Rakata Talamala" went on to top the charts. He composed music for 75 movies.

While continuing to sing and compose for movies, he kept on experimenting with light music. He experimented in themes, words and in recording and producing special sound effects.

Some of his experimentations include starting a new cult of ballads in Oriya, based on popular legends, such as "Kanchi Abhijana", "Randipua Ananta", and "Konaraka Gatha". He also recorded a popular drama, "Patent Medicine", that went on to win the best radio drama award from All India Radio.

From the pious 'Kene Gheni Jauchha' to the patriotic 'Saata Daria Paare'; from the forlorn 'He Phaguna Tume' to the flirtatious 'Raja Jhia Sange'; from the plaintive 'Rakata Tala Mala' to the pensive 'Chakori Jhara'anaa Luha' - Akshaya has been the most significant contributor of 'classics' to the Oriya popular repertoire.

A lesser-known fact about Mohanty is his adaptation from the best of musical works from all languages and completely set them in the Orissan context. Notable among this genre are his adaptation of the Harry Belafonte Song, "Hole in the Bucket" to create one of the most popular songs of Oriya of all times, "Mathia Re Gote Kana" and his adaptation of the Hindi song "Lao Lao Piya Nadiya Se Son Machhari", written by Dr. Harivansh Rai Bachchan as "Dhibara Re Anide Anide Mote Suna Ilishi".

Mohanty also acted in three movies and co-directed a movie.

As a sensitive short-story writer and novelist, Akshaya Mohanty was palpably personal. He wrote simply and directly without prudish sensibilities. There was a celebration in his prose, of love, women, relationships and physical sensation.

Many term him as one of the most talented creative geniuses of modern Orissa.

Films

Akshaya Mohanty has created record by directing music in 75 films.Some of the notable films are as follows.
*Mala Janha

*Kie Kahar

*Sansar

*Nagaphasa

*Taapoi

*Jhili Mili

*Nijhum Ratira Sathi

*Shree Jagannath

*Kie Jite Kie Hare

*Ashanta Graha

*Mahasati Sabitree

*Swapna Sagar

*Danda Balunga

*Jai Phula

*Jaga Hatare Pagha

*Sankha Sindura

*Mamata Mage Moola

*Nala Damayanti

*Baje Bainshi Nache Ghungura

*Chaka Bhaunree

*Sabu Mayare Baya

*Eai Aama Sanshara

*Karunamaya

*Badhu Nirupama

*Eai Ta Duniya

*Tunda Baida

*Jor Jar Mulak Taar

*Thilli Jhia Heli Bohu

*Suna Chadhei

*Kurukshetra

*Papa Punya

*Pua Mora Kala Thakura

*Mamata Ra Dori

*Chaka Akhi Sabu Dekhuchi

*Bidhira Bidhana

*Aasuchi Mo Kalia Suna

*Daiba Daudi

*Chaka Dola Karuchi Lila

*Thakura Achhanti Choubahaku

*Paradesi Chadhei

*Kalia Bharasa

*Ama Ghara Ama Sansar

*Hasa Luha Bhara Dunia

*To Binu Anya Gati Nahin

*Kotie Manisha Gotie Jaga

*Kapala Likhana

*Bhisma Pratigyan

*Suna Bhauja

*Rakhile Siba Mariba Kie

*Lakhsmana Rekha

Popular Songs

Light/Romantic
* Gadiala bhai dharichhi sura re
* Smruti tume
* Bayasara krushnachuda
* Tahun kanji gala
* Udi udi udi ja re udi
* Ja ja re bhasi bhasi ja
* Raja jhia sange
* Ba ba re capital
* Punyara nadi tire
* Abujha priyatama
* Nadira nama alasakanya
* Sabi sabi tu to mora
* Alo ratani
* He faguna tume gala pare pare
* Nanda mundia driver
* Sakalara gadi
* Bandhu re anide anide mote
* Baby eka gelha jhia
* Gori gori gori
* Rakata talamala
* Tik Tik tik ghanta chale
* Ei Chumki (duet)
* Abujha priayatama
* Phulei rani saja phula
* Jajabara mana mora
* Chhapi chhapi basanto rati
* Rail gadi jauchhi gadi
* Sata daria pari re
* Chandrama eka chandana bindu
* Chandramailli hase
* Ae e e alo alo mani
* Rati je khoje
* Ei rum juhum jhum jhum nupura
* Kalankita ei nayaka
* Hasa ta lakhye tanka
* Sabi Sabi tu ta mora
* Udigale gendalia jhadi dela para
* Boula hebi nahin
* Tu ki buli baharilu sahara
* Mathia re gote kana
* Kali gori dihen gadhei
* Thik tori pari jhia tie
* Jataka padichhi

Bhajans (Devotional)
* Eka to bhakata jibana
* Kene gheni jauchha Jagannathanku
* Olata Brukhye khelucchi
* Adhagadha diankara
* Dasavatara (Gita Govinda)
* Srikrushnara banshi swana suni
* Jaya jaya Jagannatha

Popular Ballads
* Kanchi Abhijana
* Randipua Ananta
* Konarak Gatha

Awards

* Jayadeva Award: The highest state award in movies
* State award for best playback singer seven times
* State award for best composer twice
* Many awards from Orissa Cinecritic Association

Writing

* Aneswata Rani (Collection of short stories)
* Bichara (Collection of short stories)
* Nagna Monalisa (Collection of short stories)
* Ba Ba Re America (Travelogue)
* Aryadasara Atmalipi (Semi-autobiograhical)
* Aryadasara Sheshalipi (Semi-autobiograhical)
* Aphera Nadi (Novel)
* Gayaka (Novel)
* Jaya Nuhen Jaya (Novel)
* Gotie Kuhu, Aneka Uhu (Novel)

Reference and his music

* [http://www.akshayamohanty.com Akshaya Mohanty Foundation]
* [http://www.oriyamusic.com Oriyamusic.com]
* [http://www.hamaracd.com Hamara CD]
* [https://lists.cs.columbia.edu/pipermail/ornet/2002-November/005962.html]
* [http://www.akshayamohanty.com/photogallery.htm]