MUSICAL GENIUS FROM ODISHA

 Akshaya Mohanty was unarguably the greatest musical genius that Odisha have ever produced. The man was well ahead of his time in terms of creativity and versatility. In a state like Odisha whose film and music industry was  still at a juvenile stage,  taking  music as a full time career option and setting new trends as he had done; is definitely an arduous task.  Also in an impoverished state where chaste Odia is spoken in the coastal and central districts and where the number of audience is very small , there he had not only made a living out of music but also set new bench marks and made Odia music popular across the country. A singer,song writer and a music director - he accomplished all his jobs proficiently. A man deep-rooted in his culture - he revamped and popularized many Odia classics like "Patent Medicine", "Kanchi Abhijana" etc. He was also a proud katki. (as the people of Cuttack fondly call themselves) -his songs showcased the war of kites on the banks of Kathajodi , the sahis of cuttack during Durga puja and various other aspects  of this thousand-year-old city.The use of colloquial language and folk songs was very common in his creations. As a person he was uncomplicated and carefree and that was definitely reflected in his music. He definitely boosts our self-respect and makes us as an Odia proud.  He had written so many great lyrics from " he phaguna tume" to "mu danda balunga" from "ae je banalata pahada" to "ja re bhasi bhasi ja" - and his songs appealed to people from all stratas.  

     It is very unfortunate that the newer generation of music directors and songwriters have hardly been able to  carry on his outstanding legacy. 

 Many of his compositions are close to my heart- but his 'jajabara' song is my favourite.

 I have tried to translate this song in English. 

                                        .....HAPPY READING.....

ଯାଯାବର... ମନ ମୋର

ସୀମାହୀନ ଆଶା ମୋର

ନୀତି ଗଢେ , ନୀତି ଭାଙ୍ଗେ

ସ୍ୱପ୍ନର ବାଲିଘର ....

ମୁଁ ନିଜର ଆଲୋକର

ମୋ ଛାଇ ବନ୍ଧୁ ମୋର

ନୀତି ଲେଖେ ନୀତି ଜାଳେ

ଗଳ୍ପ ମୋ ହୃଦୟର ....

ମୁଁ ପ୍ରେମିକ ...ଦିଗନ୍ତର

ମରୀଚିକା ...ପ୍ରିୟା ମୋର

ଭଲ ପାଏ ..ଭୁଲି ଯାଏ..

ନୀତିଦିନ ଖେଳ ମୋର....

ENGLISH TRANSLATION:

A wanderer -my soul
And limiltless are it's ambitions.
I make and break, each day
those houses of dreams.

 I am the light myself,
And my shadow is my only friend.
I write and burn, each day
the story of my heart...

I am the lover of these endless horizons,
Mirage, beloved are all mine..
Love and betrayal
are my everyday game...

A wanderer - my soul
And limitless are its ambitions...


THIS IS THE LINK TO THIS WONDERFUL COMPOSITION ..SO ENJOY!!!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JT8lu7MxVPk

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