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Geethapriya - Best in Lyrics Good in Direction

Updated on : Jan 31, 2011

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Geethapriya - Best in Lyrics Good in Direction

The top ranking director and lyric writer Geethapriya whose original name Lakshman Rao Mohithe has occupied a important position for his contribution. He believed in work and worshipped it. He did not earn in his learning process that is the greatest asset he considers.

Lakshman Rao Mohithe who became Geethapriya is basically from the theatre. He went to become an actor to Madras. He could not materialize his acting dream but started writing a song for ‘Sri Rama Pooja’ in 1954.

As a director from ‘Mannina Maga’ from 1968 Geethapriya flourished. He used to write the spoken language in his films to get near to the audience. He has so far directed 30 films and won Puttanna Kanagal award that is given by State government for expertise in direction.

Nagarika Manava…..the top song of yesteryears from the pen of Geethapriya is now turned true. The man is working like machine. Remembering the twin tower clash in New York Geethapriya says the constructive minds are becoming destructive.

Coming back to his life journey as a poverty stricken youngster whose father was trainer of horses in Mysore the prolific writer and able director of yesteryears firmly says it is essential for a director to know about editing.

SOME OF HIS OBSERVATIONS!

• Achievement is like capturing an ocean. A human being can only take a drop from it.
• I was inspired by Pu Ti Narasimachar ‘Dorai’ poem. I went in to the details of the thoughts of gem of a writer and discovered so many facts.
• I was participating in ‘Kamannana Habba’ held in Mysore during Holi festival. At that time I came in to contact with Heera Lal and Sohan Lal. In Kalavidha cinema at Sathyajyothi studio I was one of the co dancers.
• In those days to study Arts Mysore was best and to study Science one has to reach Bangalore.
• When I was looking for office boy job I got bill clerk job in Cubbon Park Restaurant. Rs.30 was my monthly payment and I had to maintain 8 members in the family.
• At this time I came in to contact with Y.V.Rao, Vijayabhasker and Sathya. It is Vijayabhasker told me to leave the job and assured Rs.40 as salary per month.
• MP Shanker was the first producer to give me Rs.100 as advance for direction of Kadina Rahasya.
• I wrote songs for Bhagya Chakra and used the spoken language more from the beginning days. The then censor chief Shastry said I am a leftist.
• Knowing my enthusiasm my father brought me to his Guru that is Bellave Narahari Shastry. Vijayabhasker, YV Rao the director of first Kannada film ‘Sathu Sulochana’ are my mentors.
• Haduthiruva Hakkigele…. Bettada Huli, Huvu Mullu came one by one. I got first offer to direct ‘Mannina Maga’ that story I picked from a news report and worked six months and obtained the call sheet of Dr Rajakumar. After launch the film had to be stopped for one year and nine months. That was the first film to shoot inside the bungalow. Dr Rajakumar with high fever stayed in a village house and showed his fantastic simplicity. That film ‘Mannina Maga’ ran for 100 days in Bangalore Kapali and Bharath theatre.
• I have not written too many songs. It is only around 250 songs in my career of over five decades.
• To make a film based on novel one requires guts. The essential changes are most for novels to adapt in cinema.
• Beluvaladha Madilalli film I wrote the song Muthu Malegaagi….eye brows were raised. A revolutionary thinker how come he penned such songs.
• I was bent upon Vishnuji for ‘Hombisilu’ who changed his walking style in that film. He came to the place I was living and signed the call sheet.
• An actor gives identity to a director and it is vice versa. I remember the artists like Dr Raj, Dr Vishnu, Manjula, Srinath, Jayanthi, Saritha, Bharathi, Udyakumar, Jayamala and others.
• Artists like Ramesh Aravind directors like Bhargva, Nanjundappa and others worked under my direction.
• P Kalinga Rao, Beechi, Nadiger Krishnarayaru….I liked most. Nadiger Krishnarayaru….once said Ugaltha Idru for Hogaltha Idhru…his pun was very funny.
• I became a poet for the situations. I always gave a thought for what is the current situation and imagined things to write. The big master in life is experience.
• I have bounced cheques even to this day of 10000 and 15000. All of them have completed silver jubilee easily. I was paid Rs.50 for a song. I had to run for 50 times to get that money. They forget after the work and I also forget them because they have forgotten me.
• The present scenario of film industry is not good. Director and producer should have the good taste for a film.
• The technical growth happening here is not made use properly. Even in technology we should add up ‘Nammathana’.

SOME OF THE FILMS OF DIRECTOR GEETHAPRIYA

1.       Mannina Maga (1968)
2.       Kadina Rahasya
3.       Maduve Madhuve Maduve Madhuve
4.       Bhupathi Ranga
5.       Kalyani
6.       Naari Munidhare Maari
7.       Yava Janmada Maithri
8.       Jeevana Jokali
9.       Beluvalada Madilalli
10.    Besuge
11.    Hombisilu
12.    Anuraga Bandhana
13.    Premayana
14.    Putani Agent 123
15.    Prema Jwale
16.    Prachanda Putanigalu
17.    Balu Bangara
18.    Sriman
19.    Pritisi Nodu
20.    Jodi Jeeva
21.    Suvarna Sethuve
22.    Manege Bandha Mahalakshmi
23.    Shuba Muhurtha
24.    Mouna Geethe
25.    Balondhu Bhavageethe
26.    Durgashtami

Geethapriya - Best in Lyrics Good in Direction Gallery