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| The versatile Akshaya Mohanty |
Date of Birth: 12 October 1937
Date of Death: 17 November 2002
Akshaya Kumar Mohanty was a multi-faceted music personality from Odisha, 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 Odia movies and a singer of modern light songs, bhajans, Odishi, and folk songs. He is often credited with starting the trend of non-film modern light songs in Odisha on contemporary themes. He also created ballads based on popular legends in Odisha.
Life History
Born to Mr. Bichitrananda Mohanty and Mrs. Subarna Manjari Mohanty, in Bankimundai village dist of Cuttack (now Kendrapara) 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 22, he joined government services in his home city Katak, 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. His son, popularly known as 'Kabba' is following his father's footstep and is already a popular stage singer.
Musical Journey
He is Odisha's Bob Dylan - Singer, songwriter and composer par excellence. In a journey lasting close to half a century, Akshaya gave identity and direction to popular Odia 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 1958 Odia movie Maa. He went on to sing in 129 films. In 1965, he composed music for the movie Malajanha (1965), directed by prominent Odia 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 Odia, 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 Odia popular repertoire.
Some people say that he has adapted some songs from other languages like English, but these are only rumours and nothing else and meant for just to down his image.
Akshaya Mohanty also acted in four 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 Odisha.
Filmography
Composer (70 titles)
- 2007 --- Jai Jagannath (as Late Akshaya Mohanty)
- 2005 --- Agni Parikshya
- 2002 --- Dharini
- 2002 --- Pua Mora Jagata Jita
- 2001 --- Karunamaya
- 1999 --- Kotikare Gotiye
- 1997 --- Raghu Arakhita
- 1996 --- Laxman Rekha
- 1995 --- Jibana Dhara
- 1995 --- Kula Nandan
- 1995 --- Mo Bhai Jaga
- 1994 --- Rakhile Siba Mariba Kie
- 1994 --- Suna Bhauja
- 1993 --- Byabhichara
- 1993 --- Udandi Seeta
- 1993 --- Bhisma Pratigyan
- 1992 --- Maa Jahara Saha
- 1992 --- Sukha Sansara
- 1992 --- Kapala Likhana
- 1991 --- Aama Ghara Aama Sansara
- 1991 --- Ki Heba Sua Posile
- 1991 --- Kotie Manisha Gotie Jaga
- 1991 --- To Binu Anya Gati Nahin
- 1991 --- Paradeshi Chadhei
- 1991 --- Kalia Bharasa
- 1990 --- Chakadola Karuchi Leela
- 1990 --- Daiba Daudi
- 1990 --- Hasa Luha Bhara Duniya
- 1990 --- Thakura Achanti Chau Bahaku
- 1989 --- Asuchi Mo Kalia Suna
- 1989 --- Bidhira Bidhan
- 1989 --- Mamata Ra Dori
- 1989 --- Panchu Pandav
- 1988 --- Kurukshetra
- 1988 --- Papa Punya
- 1988 --- Pua Mora Kala Thakura
- 1987 --- Badhu Nirupama
- 1987 --- Bhuli Huena
- 1987 --- Chaka Aakhi Sabu Dekhuchi
- 1988 --- Suna Chadhei
- 1987 --- Jor Jar Mulak Tar
- 1986 --- Ei Aama Sansar
- 1986 --- Sabu Mayare Baya
- 1986 --- Baje Bainshi Nache Ghungura
- 1986 --- Nala Damayanti
- 1985 --- Sahari Bagha
- 1985 --- Jaga Hatare Pagha
- 1985 --- Mamata Mage Mula
- 1985 --- Pooja Phula
- 1985 --- Sankha Sindura
- 1985 --- School Master
- 1984 --- Jaaiphula
- 1984 --- Danda Balunga
- 1984 --- Jeeban Sangam
- 1983 --- Maha Sati Savitri
- 1982 --- Ashanta Graha
- 1981 --- Kiye Jite Kiye Hare
- 1980 --- Mana Abhimana
- 1979 --- Nirjhum Rati Ra Saathi
- 1979 --- Shri Jagannath
- 1978 --- Jhilmili
- 1978 --- Pati Patni
- 1978 --- Taa Poi
- 1977 --- Naga Phasa
- 1975 --- Jajabara
- 1974 --- Aahuti
- 1973 --- Ghara Bahuda
- 1973 --- Sansar
- 1968 --- Kie Kahara
- 1965 --- Malajanha
- 1965 --- Abhinetri
- 1964 --- Amada Bata
Music Department (48 titles)
- 2007 --- Jai Jagannath (playback singer - as Late Akshya Mohanty)
- 1992 --- Kapala Likhana (playback singer)
- 1991 --- To Binu Anya Gati Nahin (lyricist)
- 1990 --- Chakadola Karuchi Leela (lyricist, playback singer)
- 1989 --- Asuchi Mo Kalia Suna (lyricist, playback singer)
- 1989 --- Chaka Aakhi Sabu Dekhuchi (playback singer)
- 1989 --- Mamata Ra Dori (lyricist)
- 1987 --- Badhu Nirupama (playback singer)
- 1987 --- Phula Chandana (playback singer)
- 1986 --- Sabu Mayare Baya (playback singer)
- 1986 --- Chaka Bhaunri (musical director, playback singer)
- 1985 --- Sahari Bagha (lyricist)
- 1985 --- Jaga Hatare Pagha (lyricist, playback singer)
- 1985 --- Pooja Phula (playback singer)
- 1985 --- Sankha Sindura (playback singer)
- 1985 --- School Master (playback singer)
- 1984 --- Jaaiphula (lyricist, playback singer)
- 1984 --- Janani (lyricist, playback singer)
- 1984 --- Danda Balunga (playback singer)
- 1983 --- Swapna Sagara (lyricist, musical director, playback singer)
- 1982 --- Ashanta Graha (playback singer)
- 1981 --- Kie Jite Kie Hare (lyricist)
- 1980 --- Maa-o-Mamata (lyricist, playback singer)
- 1979 --- Nirjhum Rati Ra Saathi (lyricist, playback singer)
- 1978 --- Jhilmili (playback singer)
- 1978 --- Pati Patni (playback singer)
- 1978 --- Taa Poi (playback singer)
- 1977 --- Naga Phasa (lyricist, playback singer)
- 1977 --- Rakta Golapa (playback singer)
- 1977 --- Abhimaan (playback singer)
- 1977 --- Aahuti (playback singer)
- 1975 --- Jajabara (playback singer)
- 1973 --- Ghara Bahuda (playback singer)
- 1973 --- Ghara Sansara (playback singer)
- 1973 --- Sansar (lyricist, playback singer)
- 1970 --- Adina Megha (playback singer)
- 1968 --- Kie Kahara (lyricist)
- 1968 --- Stree (playback singer)
- 1967 --- Matira Manisha (playback singer)
- 1966 --- Kaa (playback singer)
- 1965 --- Malajanha (playback singer)
- 1965 --- Abhinetri (playback singer)
- 1965 --- Bhagya (lyricist, playback singer)
- 1964 --- Manika Jodi (playback singer)
- 1961 --- Parinam (playback singer)
- 1958 --- Maa (playback singer)
Actor (2 titles)
- 1989 --- Mamata Ra Dori
- 1981 --- Kiye Jite Kiye Hare
- 1989 --- Mamata Ra Dori (Guest Appearance)
- 1991 --- Kotie Manisha Gotie Jaga (Guest Appearance)
Writer (1 title)
- 2007 --- Jai Jagannath (lyrics)
Soundtrack (1 title)
2007 --- Jai Jagannath (music: "Kalyug Ke Narayan Tumhi Jagannath", "Bejaan Phool Tune Mathey Sajaye", "Mahalakshmi Mahamayi Janani" / lyrics: "Kalyug Ke Narayan Tumhi Jagannath", "Bejaan Phool Tune Mathey Sajaye", "Mahalakshmi Mahamayi Janani")
Producer (1 title)
- 1965 --- Malajanha (producer)
