Two music albums, created by Devdas Chhotray, Susmita Das and Om Prakash Mohanty, were released by Governor Murlidhar Chandrakant Bhandare here on Sunday.
Das and others performed at an enthralling live show on the occasion. Chhotray who has penned the lyrics of the two albums spoke about its genesis and significance.
The first album ‘Radio Days’ is an anthology of radio songs created by the doyen of Odia music Akshaya Mohanty and Chhotray in the 1960s.
The album comprises 18 evergreen songs in two CDs. The original composition of most of these songs are not available today even in the archives of All India Radio, Cuttack, for which reason the album is expected to regenerate interest in a genre of Odia music that was likely to be wiped out.
The second album ‘Rubai’ is an Odia adaptation of Edward Fitzgerald’s Rubaiyat written by Omar Khyyam. The album comprises a short film and a music CD with narration by Chhotray.
Speaking on the occasion, former Chief Secretary DP Bagchi went nostalgic
about the golden days of 1950s, 60s, 70s when the then Oriya modern songs were melodious and meaningful.
He complimented Das and Mohanty and their team for the new wave and dimension in music making.
Among others who spoke at the occasion were Energy Minister Arun Sahoo and Pradosh Patnaik, president of the Cine Critics Association, which organised the function.