BHUBANESWAR: The Utkal Mandap open air auditorium here was chock-a-block with thousands witnessing the birth anniversary celebration of their most beloved singer Akshaya Mohanty on Wednesday. Singer Asha Bhosle, whose melodies have enchanted several generations of music lovers in the country, was conferred the coveted 5th Akshaya Samman for the year 2011 during the annual Akshaya Utsav by late Akshaya’s wife Prabina Mohanty. On the occasion, Asha said: “It is unfortunate that I did not get a chance to work for the legendary singer. It is my bad luck that I never got to meet him personally or sing for him.” After singing a ‘mukda’ of ‘Dil Cheez Kya Hai’ from Umrao Jaan, Asha said that she believes in regular ‘riyaaz’. The singer arrived here in the evening after a wait of nearly 10 hours at the airport as she missed her first flight to the city in the morning. The prestigious Akshaya Samman was instituted by the Akshaya Mohanty Foundation in 2007 in memory of the legendary Oriya singer, lyricist and composer. The honour carries a memento, a citation and ` 1 lakh in cash and is conferred upon persons for their contribution to the field of music or literature. Asha has done playback singing for over a thousand Bollywood movies and has recorded several private albums in 18 languages. Incidentally, Asha had lent her voice for several Oriya songs, including ‘Jhimi Jhimi Ta Maaja Dakile Na Chhadibu’ from the movie Samaya (1976). The previous awardees have been multi-talented music composer llaryaraja, Dada Saheb Phalke awardee singer Manna De, acclaimed poet-filmmaker Gulzar and flutist Hari Prasad Chaurasia. The jury, comprising late Akshaya’s intimate friend and Ravenshaw University Vice-Chancellor Debdas Chhotray, noted journalist Sampad Mohapatra and Foundation president and singer Bibhu Das, had earlier selected Asha as the recipient of the honour for the year. The glittering ceremony was followed by a string of performances by various singers. A number of popular singers of the State, including Bhaskar Pohan, Amarendra Mohanty, Prashant Muduli, Bichitrananda Deo, Trupti Das and Geeta Das, presented the songs sung, penned or composed by Akshaya Mohanty as a tribute to the legend. The ceremony was inaugurated by Forest and Environment Minister Debi Prasad Mishra and Revenue Minister Surya Narayan Patra. Among others, Tourism and Culture Minister Prafulla Samal, Akshaya Samman jury committee Chairperson Debdas Chhotray, Foundation president Bibhu Das, secretary Gyana Mohapatra and advisor Debu Patnaik were present.
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