Geethapriya

Geethapriya
Born Lakshman Rao Mohite
(1932-06-15)15 June 1932
Died 17 January 2016(2016-01-17) (aged 83)
Bangalore, Karnataka, India
Nationality Indian
Occupation Lyricist, writer, film director

Lakshman Rao Mohite (15 June 1932 – 17 January 2016), better known by his pen-name Geethapriya (Kannada: ಗೀತಪ್ರಿಯ), was an Indian film director and lyricist of the Kannada film industry. He has directed 40 films and penned over 250 songs in Kannada films.[1] In 1992–93, he was awarded the Puttanna Kanagal Award for his contribution to Kannada cinema as a director.[2]

Early life

Geethapriya was born as Lakshman Rao Mohite in 1931,[3] to Ramarao Mohite and Lakshmibai. His father worked for the cavalry regiment of Mysore State Troops called Mysore Lancers, which was stationed in Bangalore. Even though his mother tongue was Marathi, he was always interested in the Kannada language and was admitted to a Kannada-medium school. The poet P. T. Narasimhachar lived in the same quarters as Geethapriya's family and was a huge influence in the latter's career. He was also inspired by the writings of K. Shivaram Karanth, Masti Venkatesh Iyengar, T. R. Subba Rao and A. N. Krishna Rao. He tried his hand in writing from his middle school days and sent his poems and short stories to magazines like Thaayinaadu, Ramarajya.

Following his completion of CA intermediate, Geethapriya took up small writing assignments. He then worked as a clerk in Cubbon Park restaurant, Bangalore where he received a monthly salary of ₹35. Having had a brief association in theatre, he had the music director Vijaya Bhaskar and film director M. B. Singh as friends. On Bhaskar's promise of paying him ₹40 a month, Geethapriya entered films as a lyricist in 1954.

Geethapriya suffered from various health issues during the last few years of his life. A combination of various health complications resulted in a heart attack that caused his death on 17 Jan 2016. [4]

Career

As lyricist

Geethapriya started his career in films in 1954 as a lyricist, writing a song for the film, Sri Rama Pooja.[3] He then moved to Madras (now Chennai). He worked with Y. V. Rao for the film Bhagya Chakra (1956) by writing dialogues and songs. Sri Ramanjaneya Yuddha (1963) became hit with songs like "Jagadishanaduva Jagave Natakaranga" and eleven others all whose lyrics were written by Geethapriya.[5] This was followed by "Aadutiruva Modagale" for the film Bettada Huli (1965) and Onde Balliya Hoogalu (1967) for which Mohammed Rafi sang "Neenelli Nadeve Doora", the only song sung by him for a Kannada film.

As director

Geethapriya directed his first film in 1968 with Mannina Maga that had Rajkumar and Kalpana playing the lead roles. It was awarded the National Film Award for Best Feature Film in Kannada[6] and he won the Karnataka State Film Award for Best Screenplay.[7] The film ran for a hundred days in Bangalore's Kapali and Bharat theatres.

He directed other successful films like Yaava Janmada Maithri, (1972), Beluvalada Madilalli (1975), Besuge (1976), Hombisilu (1978), Putani Agent 123 (1979) and Mouna Geethe (1985). Having directed 40 films during his career, he was awarded the Puttanna Kanagal Award for expertise in direction.[2] He also directed three Tulu language films and one Hindi film, Anmol Sitaare.

Filmography

Direction

Year Film Credited as Language Notes
Director Writer
1968 Mannina Maga Green tick Green tick Kannada National Film Award for Best Feature Film in Kannada
1969 Kadina Rahasya Green tick Green tick Kannada
1969 Maduve Maduve Maduve Green tick Green tick Kannada
1970 Bhoopathi Ranga Green tick Green tick Kannada
1971 Kalyani Green tick Green tick Kannada
1972 Nari Munidare Mari Green tick Green tick Kannada
1972 Yaava Janmada Maitri Green tick Green tick Kannada
1972 Jeevana Jokali Green tick Green tick Kannada
1975 Beluvalada Madilalli Green tick Green tick Kannada
1976 Besuge Green tick Green tick Kannada
1978 Hombisilu Green tick Green tick Kannada
1978 Anuraga Bandhana Green tick Green tick Kannada
1978 Premayana Green tick Green tick Kannada
1979 Putani Agent 123 Green tick Green tick Kannada
1980 Prema Jwala Green tick Green tick Kannada
1981 Prachanda Putanigalu Green tick Green tick Kannada
1981 Baalu Bangara Green tick Green tick Kannada
1981 Preetisi Nodu Green tick Green tick Kannada
1982 Jodi Jeeva Green tick Green tick Kannada
1982 Suvarna Sethuve Green tick Green tick Kannada
1982 Anmol Sitaare Green tick Green tick Hindi
1983 Manege Banda Mahalakshmi Green tick Green tick Kannada
1984 Shubha Muhurtha Green tick Green tick Kannada
1986 Mouna Geethe Green tick Green tick Kannada
1986 Manasa Veene Green tick Green tick Kannada
1988 Baalondu Baavageethe Green tick Green tick Kannada
1991 Durgashtami Green tick Green tick Kannada
2003 Shravana Sambhrama Green tick Green tick Kannada

Lyrics

Song Movie Name Year
Jagadishanaduva Jagave Natakaranga Sriramanjaneya Yuddam 1963
Hanumana Prana Prabho Raghurama Sriramanjaneya Yuddam 1963
Aduthiruva Modagale Bettada Huli 1965
Anna Ninna Sodhariyanna Onde Balliya Hoogalu 1967
Neenelli Nadeva Doora(Sung by Mohammed Rafi) Onde Balliya Hoogalu 1967
Bhagavantha Kai Kotta Dudiyokantha Mannina Maga 1968
Idhena Sabyathe Idhena Samskrithi Mannina Maga 1968
Nagutha Hadale Alutha Hadale Uyyale 1969
Manava Nagarika Manava Boopathi Ranga 1970
Veena Ninageko Yee Kampana Kalyani 1971
Modake Sikkithu Andha Andha Kalyani 1971
Matheya Mamatheya Roopugale Naari Munidhare Maari 1972
Nammurange Nanobne Jaana Naari Munidhare Maari 1972
Gopilola Hey Gopala Naari Munidhare Maari 1972
Nade Nade Nade Manave Hrudaya Sangama 1972
Belavaladha Madilalli Bevara Hani Biddaga Beluvaladha Madilalli 1975
Ellaran Kayo Devre Neenu Elli Kunthiddhe Beluvaladha Madilalli 1975
Mutthu Malegaagi Hoththu Kadidhe Beluvaladha Madilalli 1975
Gudiyaliruva Shilegalla Devaranthe Makkala Bhagya 1976
Besuge Besuge Jeevanavella(Besuge word 64 times used in this song) Besuge 1976
Jeeva Veene Needu Midithadha Sangeetha Hombisilu 1978
Hoovinda Hoovige Haruva Dhumbi Hombisilu 1978
"Premavide Manedha Nagutha" Antha 1981
Balli Hoovigaasare Preetisi Nodu 1981
Duddu Idhre Jagavella Sidideddha Sahodhara 1983
Love Me Ennuva Vayassu Asha 1983
Naguva Hoova neenu Mouna Geetha 1986

Awards

References

  1. ↑ "Voice embraces silence , but the song lives on". The Hindu. 11 April 2014. Retrieved 4 May 2014.
  2. 1 2 "SR Puttanna Kanagal Awards!". supergoodmovies.com. 28 February 2011. Retrieved 4 May 2014.
  3. 1 2 "Eight decades of good taste". The Hindu. 16 June 2011. Retrieved 4 May 2014.
  4. ↑ "Breaking a jinx was his speciality". Bangalore Mirror. 2016-01-17. Retrieved 2016-01-30.
  5. ↑ "Sri Ramanjaneya Yuddha (1963)". kannadamoviesinfo.com. 29 June 2013. Retrieved 4 May 2014.
  6. ↑ "16th National Film Awards" (PDF). Directorate of Film Festivals. p. 2. Retrieved 4 May 2014.
  7. ↑ "Mannina Maga (1968)". kannadamoviesinfo.com. 29 January 2013. Retrieved 4 May 2014.
  8. ↑ "Saroja Devi Award for Geethapriya". The New Indian Express. 17 June 2012.
  9. ↑ "Geethapriya, Padre to get Sandesha Award". The Hindu. 17 February 2012.
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