Remembering Akshaya Mohanty, The Melodious Part Of Every Odia’s Identity

Over the years as an Odia, you tend to realize that there are two things that bind Odias across the globe – the debate over Rasagolla and the songs of Akshaya Mohanty. Today marks the 86^th birth anniversary of the singing legend Akshaya Mohanty who revamped the Odia music industry with his contemporary compositions which surprises the millennials and reminds the older generations of a bittersweet memory to relish.

What set the playback singer and composer different from the crowd was his home-grown style that reflected in his music. Embodying Cuttack's playfulness, an openness that takes you by surprise and charms that leaves a lasting impact quickly. Considered the father of modern Odia music, his playlist contained iconic urban peppy tracks like Kabata Khol Priye, Rail Gadi to melancholic love songs like Smruti Tume, Hrudayara Ei Sunyataru.

The influence of Hindi- Bengal music directors could be traced in his work along with his connect to the roots. His popular song “Jaare Bhasi Bhasi ja, Nauka moro Bhasija” reflected the importance of river Mahanadi for Odias. Written in colloquial Odia, the song was about a boatman teasing young women of different districts by the river bank as his boat travels.

The iconic Jajabara Mana Moro which was composed by him was proof of his musical genuineness. The song was about the nature of a fickle mind and the journey to one’s dreams where one falls and gets up again. The musical notes were fast, constantly racing between the high and the low as though depicting the struggle of the heart and the mind – to love compassionately or to stop rationally.

In a world full of remixes and electronic music, Khoka Bhai stills holds an integral part of every listener who went on a journey with him to transform the Odia music scene. Or to anyone who still hums while listening to ‘Aije Bana Lata Pahada’ ...

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