Veteran Music director Rakhal Chandra Mohanty passes away at 88

Cuttack: Veteran music director Rakhal Chandra Mohanty today passed away at his residence in Badambadi area of Cuttack due to age related ailments. He was 88 years old.

Rakhal was a renowned music director at All India Radio(AIR). Born on June 26, 1932, at Chatana village in Kendrapara district, Rakhal had completed his post graduation in vocal music from the Akhil Bharatiya Gandharv Mahavidyalaya. He had directed music at Cuttack Kala Vikash Kendra, AIR and Doordarshan. Later, he became a part of the Odia film industry.

‘Akshi Trutiya’, ‘Trinath Mela’, ‘Srikrushna Raas Leela’, ‘Amar Prem’ and ‘Ghara Sansara’ are some of the popular films for which Rakhal had directed music. He was awarded by various organisations for his contribution to the field of music.

A pall of gloom descended in music fraternity and Odia film industry after the news of Rakhal’s death spread.

“My father was unwell for the past two days and passed away at 4:20 pm today,” said Suhas Mohanty, son of Rakhal.