# 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.

## Early life

Geethapriya was born as Lakshman Rao Mohite in 1931, to Ramarao Mohite and Lakshmibai. His father worked for the cavalry regiment of Mysore State Troops called Mysore Lancers, which was stationed in Bangalore. Even though his mother tongue was Marathi, he was always interested in the Kannada language and was admitted to a Kannada-medium school. The poet P. T. Narasimhachar lived in the same quarters as Geethapriya's family and was a huge influence in the latter's career. He was also inspired by the writings of K. Shivaram Karanth, Masti Venkatesh Iyengar, T. R. Subba Rao and A. N. Krishna Rao. He tried his hand in writing from his middle school days and sent his poems and short stories to magazines like Thaayinaadu, Ramarajya.
Following his completion of CA intermediate, Geethapriya took up small writing assignments. He then worked as a clerk in Cubbon Park restaurant, Bangalore where he received a monthly salary of ₹35. Having had a brief association in theatre, he had the music director Vijaya Bhaskar and film director M. B. Singh as friends. On Bhaskar's promise of paying him ₹40 a month, Geethapriya entered films as a lyricist in 1954.
Geethapriya suffered from various health issues during the last few years of his life. A combination of various health complications resulted in a heart attack that caused his death on 17 Jan 2016.

## 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 | Credited as | Language | Notes |
| Year | Film | Director | Writer | Language | Notes |
| 1968 | Mannina Maga | Y | Y | Kannada | National Film Award for Best Feature Film in Kannada |
| 1969 | Kadina Rahasya | Y | Y | Kannada | |
| 1969 | Maduve Maduve Maduve | Y | Y | Kannada | |
| 1970 | Bhoopathi Ranga | Y | Y | Kannada | |
| 1971 | Kalyani | Y | Y | Kannada | |
| 1972 | Nari Munidare Mari | Y | Y | Kannada | |
| 1972 | Yaava Janmada Maitri | Y | Y | Kannada | |
| 1972 | Jeevana Jokali | Y | Y | Kannada | |
| 1975 | Beluvalada Madilalli | Y | Y | Kannada | |
| 1976 | Besuge | Y | Y | Kannada | |
| 1978 | Hombisilu | Y | Y | Kannada | |
| 1978 | Anuraga Bandhana | Y | Y | Kannada | |
| 1978 | Premayana | Y | Y | Kannada | |
| 1979 | Putani Agent 123 | Y | Y | Kannada | |
| 1980 | Prema Jwala | Y | Y | Kannada | |
| 1981 | Prachanda Putanigalu | Y | Y | Kannada | |
| 1981 | Baalu Bangara | Y | Y | Kannada | |
| 1981 | Preetisi Nodu | Y | Y | Kannada | |
| 1982 | Jodi Jeeva | Y | Y | Kannada | |
| 1982 | Suvarna Sethuve | Y | Y | Kannada | |
| 1982 | Anmol Sitaare | Y | Y | Hindi | |
| 1983 | Manege Banda Mahalakshmi | Y | Y | Kannada | |
| 1984 | Shubha Muhurtha | Y | Y | Kannada | |
| 1986 | Mouna Geethe | Y | Y | Kannada | |
| 1986 | Manasa Veene | Y | Y | Kannada | |
| 1988 | Baalondu Baavageethe | Y | Y | Kannada | |
| 1991 | Durgashtami | Y | Y | Kannada | |
| 2003 | Shravana Sambhrama | N | Y | Kannada | |

## Lyrics

| Song | Movie Name | Year |
| Jagadishanaduva Jagave Natakaranga | Sriramanjaneya Yuddam | 1963 |
| Hanumana Prana Prabho Raghurama | Sriramanjaneya Yuddam | 1963 |
| Aduthiruva Modagale | Bettada Huli | 1965 |
| Anna Ninna Sodhariyanna | Onde Balliya Hoogalu | 1967 |
| Neenelli Nadeva Doora(Sung by Mohammed Rafi) | Onde Balliya Hoogalu | 1967 |
| Bhagavantha Kai Kotta Dudiyokantha | Mannina Maga | 1968 |
| Idhena Sabyathe Idhena Samskrithi | Mannina Maga | 1968 |
| Nagutha Hadale Alutha Hadale | Uyyale | 1969 |
| Manava Nagarika Manava | Boopathi Ranga | 1970 |
| Veena Ninageko Yee Kampana | Kalyani | 1971 |
| Modake Sikkithu Andha Andha | Kalyani | 1971 |
| Matheya Mamatheya Roopugale | Naari Munidhare Maari | 1972 |
| Nammurange Nanobne Jaana | Naari Munidhare Maari | 1972 |
| Gopilola Hey Gopala | Naari Munidhare Maari | 1972 |
| Nade Nade Nade Manave | Hrudaya Sangama | 1972 |
| Belavaladha Madilalli Bevara Hani Biddaga | Beluvaladha Madilalli | 1975 |
| Ellaran Kayo Devre Neenu Elli Kunthiddhe | Beluvaladha Madilalli | 1975 |
| Mutthu Malegaagi Hoththu Kadidhe | Beluvaladha Madilalli | 1975 |
| Gudiyaliruva Shilegalla Devaranthe | Makkala Bhagya | 1976 |
| Besuge Besuge Jeevanavella(Besuge word 64 times used in this song) | Besuge | 1976 |
| Jeeva Veene Needu Midithadha Sangeetha | Hombisilu | 1978 |
| Hoovinda Hoovige Haruva Dhumbi | Hombisilu | 1978 |
| "Premavide Manedha Nagutha" | Antha | 1981 |
| Balli Hoovigaasare | Preetisi Nodu | 1981 |
| Duddu Idhre Jagavella | Sidideddha Sahodhara | 1983 |
| Love Me Ennuva Vayassu | Asha | 1983 |
| Naguva Hoova neenu | Mouna Geetha | 1986 |
| Aasegala Lokadali | Kavya | 1995 |

## 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