Akshaya Kumar Mohanty (12 October 1937 – 17 November 2002) was a multi-faceted music personality from Odisha, India. Though most popular as a singer-composer, he was also a lyricist. In addition, he also dabbled in literature by writing a few novels, short stories, poems and a travelogue, some of which were fairly successful.
Popularly known as Khoka Bhai, Mohanty was a playback singer for Odia movies and a singer of modern light songs, bhajans, Odissi, and folk songs. He is often credited with starting the trend of non-film modern light songs in Odisha on contemporary themes. He also created ballads based on popular legends in Odisha.

Life History

Born to Mr. Bichitrananda Mohanty and Mrs. Subarna Manjari Mohanty,in bankimundai village dist of cuttack now { kendrapara } Akshaya had no formal training in music. Many believe that while his talent and dedication were the reasons behind his ultimate success, lack of formal training in music allowed him to experiment without being bound by the tradition.
At the age of 22, he joined government services in his home city Cuttack, but quit after seven years to devote himself completely to music. By that time, he had been approved by the All India Radio as a lyricist and composer.
He married in 1967 to Mrs. Prabina Mohanty. He has two sons and two daughters. His son, popularly known as ‘Kabba’ is following his father’s footstep and is already a popular stage singer.He was one of the brilliant singer in Odia industry.

Musical Journey

He is Odisha’s Bob Dylan – Singer, songwriter and composer par excellence. In a journey lasting close to half a century, Akshaya gave identity and direction to popular Odia music.
He recorded his first song Gadiala Bhai Dharichhi Sura Re in 50s. His first song as a playback singer was Gori Gori Gori in the 1959 Odia movie Maa. He went on to sing in 129 films.
In 1965, he composed music for the movie Malajanha, directed by prominent Oriya filmmaker, Mr Nitai Palit. A song from the movie Rakata Talamala went on to top the charts. He composed music for 75 movies.
While continuing to sing and compose for movies, he kept on experimenting with light music. He experimented in themes, words and in recording and producing special sound effects.
Some of his experimentations include starting a new cult of ballads in Odia, based on popular legends, such as Kanchi Abhijana, Randipua Ananta, and Konaraka Gatha. He also recorded a popular drama, Patent Medicine, that went on to win the best radio drama award from All India Radio.
From the pious ‘Kene Gheni Jauchha’ to the patriotic ‘Saata Daria Paare’; from the forlorn ‘He Phaguna Tume’ to the flirtatious ‘Raja Jhia Sange’; from the plaintive ‘Rakata Tala Mala’ to the pensive ‘Chakori Jhara’anaa Luha’ – Akshaya has been the most significant contributor of ‘classics’ to the Odia popular repertoire.
Some people say that he has adapted some songs from other languages like English,but these are only rumours and nothing else and meant for just to down his image.
Akshaya Mohanty also acted in three movies and co-directed a movie.
As a sensitive short-story writer and novelist, Akshaya Mohanty was palpably personal. He wrote simply and directly without prudish sensibilities. There was a celebration in his prose, of love, women, relationships and physical sensation.
Many term him as one of the most talented creative geniuses of modern Odisha.

Films

Akshaya Mohanty has created record by directing music in 75 films. Some of the notable films are as follows.
Mala Janha
Kie Kahar
Sansar
Naga Phasa
Taapoi
Jhili Mili
Nijhum Ratira Sathi
Shree Jagannath
Kie Jite Kie Hare
Ashanta Graha
Mahasati Sabitree
Swapna Sagar
Danda Balunga
Jai Phula
Jaga Hatare Pagha
Sankha Sindura
Mamata Mage Moola
Nala Damayanti
Baje Bainshi Nache Ghungura
Chaka Bhaunree
Sabu Mayare Baya
Eai Aama Sanshara
Karunamaya
Badhu Nirupama
Eai Ta Duniya
Tunda Baida
Jor Jar Mulak Taar
Thilli Jhia Heli Bohu
Suna Chadhei
Kurukshetra
Papa Punya
Pua Mora Kala Thakura
Mamata Ra Dori
Chaka Akhi Sabu Dekhuchi
Bidhira Bidhana
Aasuchi Mo Kalia Suna
Daiba Daudi
Chaka Dola Karuchi Lila
Thakura Achhanti Choubahaku
Paradesi Chadhei
Kalia Bharasa
Ama Ghara Ama Sansar
Hasa Luha Bhara Dunia
To Binu Anya Gati Nahin
Kotie Manisha Gotie Jaga
Kapala Likhana
Bhisma Pratigyan
Suna Bhauja
Rakhile Siba Mariba Kie
Lakhsmana Rekha
Jaya Jagannatha

Popular Songs

Light/Romantic:

Gadiala bhai dharichhi sura re
Smruti tume
Bayasara krushnachuda
Tahun kanji gala
Udi udi udi ja re udi
Ja ja re bhasi bhasi ja
Raja jhia sange
Ba ba re capital
Punyara nadi tire
Abujha priyatama
Nadira nama alasakanya
Sabi sabi tu to mora
Alo ratani
He faguna tume gala pare pare
Nanda mundia driver
Sakalara gadi
Bandhu re anide anide mote
Baby eka gelha jhia
Gori gori gori
Rakata talamala
Tik Tik tik ghanta chale
Ei Chumki (duet)
Rangabati Re Rangabati
Abujha priayatama
Phulei rani saja phula
Jajabara mana mora
Chhapi chhapi basanto rati
Rail gadi jauchhi gadi
Sata daria pari re
Chandrama eka chandana bindu
Chandramailli hase
Ae e e alo alo mani
Rati je khoje
Ei rum juhum jhum jhum nupura
Kalankita ei nayaka
Hasa ta lakhye tanka
Sabi Sabi tu ta mora
Udigale gendalia jhadi dela para
Boula hebi nahin
Tu ki buli baharilu sahara
Mathia re gote kana
Kali gori dihen gadhei
Thik tori pari jhia tie
Jataka padichhi
Bhajans (Devotional)
Eka to bhakata jibana
Kene gheni jauchha Jagannathanku
Olata Brukhye khelucchi
Adhagadha diankara
Dasavatara (Gita Govinda)
Srikrushnara banshi swana suni
Jaya jaya Jagannatha
Popular Ballads
Kanchi Abhijana
Randipua Ananta
Konarak Gatha

Awards

Jayadeva Award: The highest state award in movies
State award for best playback singer seven times
State award for best composer twice
Many awards from Orissa Cinecritic Association

Writing

Aneswata Rani (Collection of short stories)
Bichara (Collection of short stories)
Nagna Monalisa (Collection of short stories)
Ba Ba Re America (Travelogue)
Aryadasara Atmalipi (Semi-autobiograhical)
Aryadasara Sheshalipi (Semi-autobiograhical)
Aphera Nadi (Novel)
Gayaka (Novel)
Jaya Nuhen Jaya (Novel)
Gotie Kuhu, Aneka Uhu (Novel)