Famous Sandalwood film-maker and lyricist Geethapriya, who straddled Kannada cinema in late 1960s and 1970s, has died at the age of 84 due to throat cancer. Geethapriya directed about 40 Kannada movies and penned more than 250 songs. He also directed a Hindi film and two Tulu films. Born on June 15, 1932, Lakshman Rao Mohite began his career in Kannada movies in mid 1960s. He earned the nickname Geethapriya (meaning Song lover), notwithstanding the fact that Marathi was his mother tongue.
He soon switched over to direction and his first film, Mannina Maga (meaning Son of the Soil) starring Rajkumar and Kalpana went on to win a national award for best Kannada film in 1968. His next big movie was, Kaadina Rahasya, Kannada’s first Tarzan movie.
Geethapriya went on to become famous for his women-oriented films. His major films include Yaava Janmada Maithri (1972), Beluvalada Madilalli (1975), Besuge (1976), Hombisilu (1978), Putani Agent 123 (1979), Preethisi Nodu (1981) and Mouna Geethe (1985) among others. Shravana Sambhrama was his last movie in 2003.
Geethapriya is also a recipient of Karnataka Rajyotsava award and Puttanna Kanagal award for lifetime achievement. He also penned the lyrics for Mohammed Rafi’s only Kannada song “Neenelli nadeve doora” in the movie “Onde Balliya Hoogalu”.
