Apart from being a popular singer and music composer, Akshaya Mohanty was also a highly acclaimed lyricist, his songwriting abilities often being compared with that of Bob Dylan. Some of his immortal lyrics like Jajabara Mana Mora, Bayasara Krushnachura, Smruti Tume Srabana Ratira, Hey Phaguna Tume Gala Pare Pare and many others are still all-time favourites and most cherished by Oriya music lovers.
However, while the legendary musician wrote and recorded many songs during his lifetime, unfortunately some of his own lyrical compositions scribbled here and there in his personal diaries and songbooks could never be recorded, and almost passed into oblivion.
But it was a serendipitous discovery when Cuttack-based eminent singer Namrata Mohanty and a close relative of the legend, incidentally found some of his hitherto unknown lyrics scribbled in pages of some old diaries stacked in a corner of his house.
Realising the great literary worth and musical potential of the lyrics, she decided to sing them in her own voice and give a fresh lease of life to the lost lyrics in the form of a music album.
“This album is not a tribute to Akshaya Mohanty; rather it is a humble attempt to rediscover the versatile genius of a great personality,” says Namrata.
The audio CD Dipa Jale Dipa Libhe, produced by Namrata’s own music label Symphony Digital Audio, has eight such hitherto undiscovered lyrics of legendary Akshaya Mohanty like dipa jale diba libhe dhhuan lekhe tara jibana kahani (the smoke of the lamp that is lit writes the story of my life), mo akhi re nida nahin tume ta rahichha, (mother can’t sleep as you she is always concerned about you) and many such unforgettable songs..
The immortal lyrics have been brilliantly set to music by highly acclaimed and talented music director Om Prakash Mohanty. All songs are distinct from each other with melodious composition, meticulous arrangement and mellifluous rendition.
“I had to make an in-depth and arduous study of the invaluable lyrics before sitting for composition. I had to bear in mind the lyrico-musical personality of Akshaya Mohanty while composing the tunes. I have tried my level best to score the most appropriate music to the lyrics and I hope listeners would love and appreciate the songs,” explains the music director Mr Mohanty.
“Namrata has sung very well in the album while taking all care of musical notes and lyrical expressions,” adds the director.
Last year, Namrata had released a solo romantic album Janhare Tolide Ghara under her own music label. She had sung lyrics of Bijay Malla, Nizam and Arun Mantri set to music by Om Prakash Mohanty. The album was well received by music lovers.
Namrata’s forthcoming project is going to be the most unique one. She plans to sing Oriya translation of eight most famous love songs of eminent Bengali poet, musician and revolutionary Kazi Nazrul Islam (1899-1976), popularly known as Bidrohi Kobi (rebel poet).
Kazi Nazrul wrote and composed nearly 4,000 songs which are collectively known as Nazrul Geeti. He is regarded as the father of Bengali ghazals and modern songs, and the unparalleled lyricist.