Akshaya Mohanty needs no introduction. Arguably the best known music director of all time in Odia entertainment industry, he continues to be a household name across the state nearly 17 years after he left for his heavenly abode.
Popularly known as Khoka bhai, he was not only a music director, but also a singer and a lyricist. Born to Bichitrananda Mohanty and Subarna Manjari Mohanty October 12, 1934 in Bankimundai village of undivided Cuttack district (Kendrapara now), he grew up taking keen interest in music.
Akshaya had no formal training in music. That said, he attained success and fame owing to his inborn talent, sheer dedication and hard work. He was always open to experimentation and gave Odia cinema music a new direction on a number of occasions. Many veterans claim, it was Akshaya who introduced Ghazals into Odia music. Though he was criticised back in the day for his lack of formal training, it never stood in his way to give one hit song after another to his fans.
Apart from being a popular singer and music composer, Akshaya was also an acclaimed lyricist. Apart from Odia, he made a Bengali album ‘Sonar Bahute Kankan Hoiche Dhanya’ back in the 60’s. Some of his immortal lyrics are Jajabara Mana Mora, Bayasara Krushnachura, Smruti Tume Srabana Ratira, and Hey Phaguna Tume Gala Pare Pare among many others.
Overall, Mohanty gave music in as many as 75 films apart from his contribution to radio. Some of the notable films are – Mala Janha, Kie Kahar, Sansara, Naga Phasa, Taapoi, Jhili Mili, Nijhum Ratira Sathi, Shree Jagannath, Kie Jite Kie Hare, Ashanta Graha, Mahasati Sabitree, Swapna Sagar, Danda Balunga, and Jai Phula etc.
Akshay was a pioneer of romantic tracks what was often called ‘laghu sangita’ (light/soft music) back in the day. Some of those tracks are – 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, and Alo ratani among others.
Mohanty has penned down as many as 100 stories out of which 70 have been published. Similarly, he has written 12 novels out of which four have been published. Many of his poems have been published as well. Besides, he is the first person in Odisha to write semi-autobiographical novels such as ‘Aryadasara Atmalipi’ and ‘Aryadasara Sheshalipi’. Among some of his great contribution to Odia literature are – Aneswata Rani, Bichara, Nagna Monalisa and Ba Ba Re America among others.