Geethapriya

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]

Geethapriya
Born
Lakshman Rao Mohite

(1932-06-15)15 June 1932
Died17 January 2016(2016-01-17) (aged 83)
Bangalore, Karnataka, India
NationalityIndian
OccupationLyricist, writer, film director

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. 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[5] and he won the Karnataka State Film Award for Best Screenplay. 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
1968Mannina MagaYYKannadaNational Film Award for Best Feature Film in Kannada
1969Kadina RahasyaYYKannada
1969Maduve Maduve MaduveYYKannada
1970Bhoopathi RangaYYKannada
1971KalyaniYYKannada
1972Nari Munidare MariYYKannada
1972Yaava Janmada MaitriYYKannada
1972Jeevana JokaliYYKannada
1975Beluvalada MadilalliYYKannada
1976BesugeYYKannada
1978HombisiluYYKannada
1978Anuraga BandhanaYYKannada
1978PremayanaYYKannada
1979Putani Agent 123YYKannada
1980Prema JwalaYYKannada
1981Prachanda PutanigaluYYKannada
1981Baalu BangaraYYKannada
1981Preetisi NoduYYKannada
1982Jodi JeevaYYKannada
1982Suvarna SethuveYYKannada
1982Anmol SitaareYYHindi
1983Manege Banda MahalakshmiYYKannada
1984Shubha MuhurthaYYKannada
1986Mouna GeetheYYKannada
1986Manasa VeeneYYKannada
1988Baalondu BaavageetheYYKannada
1991DurgashtamiYYKannada
2003Shravana SambhramaYYKannada

Lyrics
Song Movie Name Year
Jagadishanaduva Jagave NatakarangaSriramanjaneya Yuddam1963
Hanumana Prana Prabho RaghuramaSriramanjaneya Yuddam1963
Aduthiruva ModagaleBettada Huli1965
Anna Ninna SodhariyannaOnde Balliya Hoogalu1967
Neenelli Nadeva Doora(Sung by Mohammed Rafi)Onde Balliya Hoogalu1967
Bhagavantha Kai Kotta DudiyokanthaMannina Maga1968
Idhena Sabyathe Idhena SamskrithiMannina Maga1968
Nagutha Hadale Alutha HadaleUyyale1969
Manava Nagarika ManavaBoopathi Ranga1970
Veena Ninageko Yee KampanaKalyani1971
Modake Sikkithu Andha AndhaKalyani1971
Matheya Mamatheya RoopugaleNaari Munidhare Maari1972
Nammurange Nanobne JaanaNaari Munidhare Maari1972
Gopilola Hey GopalaNaari Munidhare Maari1972
Nade Nade Nade ManaveHrudaya Sangama1972
Belavaladha Madilalli Bevara Hani BiddagaBeluvaladha Madilalli1975
Ellaran Kayo Devre Neenu Elli KunthiddheBeluvaladha Madilalli1975
Mutthu Malegaagi Hoththu KadidheBeluvaladha Madilalli1975
Gudiyaliruva Shilegalla DevarantheMakkala Bhagya1976
Besuge Besuge Jeevanavella(Besuge word 64 times used in this song)Besuge1976
Jeeva Veene Needu Midithadha SangeethaHombisilu1978
Hoovinda Hoovige Haruva DhumbiHombisilu1978
"Premavide Manedha Nagutha"Antha1981
Balli HoovigaasarePreetisi Nodu1981
Duddu Idhre JagavellaSidideddha Sahodhara1983
Love Me Ennuva VayassuAsha1983
Naguva Hoova neenuMouna Geetha1986
Aasegala LokadaliKavya1995

Awards

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. Archived from the original on 22 August 2014. 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. 17 January 2016. Retrieved 30 January 2016.
  5. "16th National Film Awards" (PDF). Directorate of Film Festivals. p. 2. Retrieved 4 May 2014.
  6. "Saroja Devi Award for Geethapriya". The New Indian Express. 17 June 2012.
  7. "Geethapriya, Padre to get Sandesha Award". The Hindu. 17 February 2012.
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