‘Mu Paradesi Chadhei’ To ‘Ae Milana Kahani Amara Jibanara,’ Top Odia Songs By Kavita Krishnamurthy

Bhubaneswar: Legendary singer Kavita Krishnamurthy turned 65 on Wednesday. From recording her first song at the tender age of 13 to winning Padma Shri, she became a household name over the years.

She has recorded more than 15,000 songs in 16 different languages and continues to perform on stage in her mellifluous voice. She also runs the Subramaniam Academy of Performing Arts, a music institute in Bengaluru with her husband Dr L Subramaniam.

Not many people know that Kavita Krishnamurthy lent her voice to numerous Odia songs since the 1980s. Here’s her journey in Ollywood:

• She was first introduced to the Odia music industry by Radhakrushna Bhanja with whom she recorded the iconic song Mu Paradesi Chadhei for the film Manini.
• She, however, made her debut in the Odia music industry with the song Aina Aina Jaichi in the film Mamata Mage Mula, composed by Akshay Mohanty in 1985. Manini saw a letter release date.
• From the mid-80s to the mid-90s, she worked with prominent music directors in the Odia music industry, singing numerous songs.
• She collaborated with the legendary music director Akshay Mohanty and produced hits.
• Ae Milana Kahani Amara Jibanara from the movie Pua Moro Kala Thakura was one of her top hits during that time.
• She gave her voice to all 5 songs in the film ‘Puo Mora Kala Thakura’, whose music was composed by Akshay Mohanty.
• She also worked with Bappi Lahiri in the film ‘Akuha Katha’ in 1993.
• She received the 10th Prafulla Kar Samman, named after the legendary Odia music director Prafulla Kar for her contribution to the Odia music industry in 2018.

(With inputs from film historian Surya Deo)