Geethapriya

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 has 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.

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

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