Geethapriya

Geethapriya
Born	Lakshman Rao Mohite 15 June 1932
Died	17 January 2016 (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			Kannada	National Film Award for Best Feature Film in Kannada
1969	Kadina Rahasya			Kannada
1969	Maduve Maduve Maduve			Kannada
1970	Bhoopathi Ranga			Kannada
1971	Kalyani			Kannada
1972	Nari Munidare Mari			Kannada
1972	Yaava Janmada Maitri			Kannada
1972	Jeevana Jokali			Kannada
1975	Beluvalada Madilalli			Kannada
1976	Besuge			Kannada
1978	Hombisilu			Kannada
1978	Anuraga Bandhana			Kannada
1978	Premayana			Kannada
1979	Putani Agent 123			Kannada
1980	Prema Jwala			Kannada
1981	Prachanda Putanigalu			Kannada
1981	Baalu Bangara			Kannada
1981	Preetisi Nodu			Kannada
1982	Jodi Jeeva			Kannada
1982	Suvarna Sethuve			Kannada
1982	Anmol Sitaare			Hindi
1983	Manege Banda Mahalakshmi			Kannada
1984	Shubha Muhurtha			Kannada
1986	Mouna Geethe			Kannada
1986	Manasa Veene			Kannada
1988	Baalondu Baavageethe			Kannada
1991	Durgashtami			Kannada
2003	Shravana Sambhrama			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

• 1968 – National Film Award for Best Feature Film in Kannada – Mannina Maga
• Puttanna Kanagal Award from Karnataka Government
• 2012 – Saroja Devi Award^[8]
• 2012 – Sandesha Award^[9]

References

1. "Voice embraces silence , but the song lives on". The Hindu. 11 April 2014. Retrieved 4 May 2014.
2. "SR Puttanna Kanagal Awards!". supergoodmovies.com. 28 February 2011. Retrieved 4 May 2014.
3. "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.

External links

• Geethapriya at the Internet Movie Database