Remembering legendary Odia music director Akshaya Mohanty

Bhubaneswar: Today is the 83^rd birth anniversary of legendary Odia music director Akshaya Mohanty.  Born on 12 October 1936 Mohanty, popularly known as Khoka Bhai, passed away on 17 November 2002.

Akshaya Mohanty has a lot of hit Odia filmy and non-filmy songs to his credit. Undoubtedly he is the most sought after music director of Odia film industry.  His evergreen songs continue to remain alive among Odia music lovers across the state. Not only in romantic songs, but Mohanty was also a maestro of all genres.

Besides compositions, Akshaya Mohanty was also a singer of repute and a lyricist. He has contributed Odia Bhajans, Odissi songs, folk songs, film, and non-film modern light songs in Odisha on contemporary themes and ballads based on popular legends in Odisha.

Also read: Remembering Musician Saroj Nanda On His 18th Death Anniversary

In 1965, Mohanty composed music for the movie Malajanha, directed by Odia filmmaker, Nitai Palit. He composed music for 75 movies. He has experimented with themes, words and in recording and producing special sound effects. Some of his experiments include starting a new cult of ballads in Odia, based on popular legends, such as Kanchi Abhijana, Randipua Ananta, and Konaraka Gatha.

Some of his popular songs are ‘Kene Gheni Jauchha Jagannathanku’, ‘Saata Daria Paare’, ‘He Phaguna Tume’, ‘Raja Jhia Sange’, ‘Rakata Tala Mala’, ‘Chakori Jhara’anaa Luha’.

Here is one of the most popular and evergreen song by Akshaya Mohanty: