Lakshman Rao Mohite (15 June 1932 – 17 January 2016), better known by his pen-name Geethapriya, was an Indian film director and lyricist of the Kannada film industry. He directed 40 films and penned over 250 songs in Kannada films. In 1992–93, he was awarded the Puttanna Kanagal Award for his contribution to Kannada cinema as a director.
Early life Geethapriya was born as Lakshman Rao Mohite in 1931, 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. On account of his brief association with theatre, the music director Vijaya Bhaskar and film director M. B. Singh were his friends. On Bhaskar's promise of paying him 40 a month, Geethapriya joined films as a lyricist in 1954.
Geethapriya suffered from various health issues during the last few years of his life. A combination of health complications resulted in a heart attack that caused his death on 17 Jan 2016.
Career
As lyricist Geethapriya started his career in films in 1954 as a lyricist, writing a song for the film, Sri Rama Pooja. 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 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. 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 1983Love Me Ennuva Vayassu Asha 1983Naguva Hoova neenu Mouna Geetha 1986Aasegala Lokadali Kavya 1995
Awards 1968 – National Film Award for Best Feature Film in Kannada – Mannina Maga Puttanna Kanagal Award from Karnataka Government 2012 – Saroja Devi Award 2012 – Sandesha Award
References
External links