Cuttack, March 12: The district administration is working to ward off an auction threat looming over musician Akshay Mohanty’s ancestral house here.

The family had received an auction notice last month for their ancestral house from a national bank after they defaulted the repayment instalment of a loan they had taken four years ago.

The administration’s move came following a report by The Telegraph that had brought to light the struggle of the Mohanty family to save the house.

District administration officials said there were plans to hold a mega cultural programme at Saheed Bhavan in Cuttack. A number of voluntary groups and eminent personalities of the city would be involved in the event. Various fund-raising events would be organised from April, Cuttack collector Girish S.N. told The Telegraph.

“We have decided to organise various cultural programmes to generate funds. Whatever amount is raised will be provided to the family of the legendary singer. It is their right,” Girish said.

“Keeping in view the response, we will certainly carry out similar programmes in other cities of the state including Bhubaneswar and Rourkela, where the fan following of Akshay Mohanty is big,” Girish added.

Born on October 12, 1937, Akshay Mohanty popularly known as Khoka bhai, was a renowned singer, songwriter and musician.

He has sung in more than 129 Odia films and owns a special place in music lovers’ heart in the state.

Earlier, a nationalised bank had issued an auction notice to his family for failing to pay an interest of Rs 1.60 lakh against two loans taken by them. The principal loan amount, including a home loan and a business loan, stands at nearly Rs 4.42 and Rs 5 lakh respectively.

The district administration has also asked the bank authorities not to take any immediate action on the issue, sources said.

“There was a problem because of a miscommunication between us and the bank but we have already paid the interest amount. We welcome the step taken by the district collector to raise funds for us,” said Mitrabhanu Mohanty, one of Akshay Mohanty’s two sons.

“So far, we have never asked any help from the government. Neither have we complained about the promises that were not kept. But the interest shown by the administration gives us immense joy that our father’s contribution to Odisha has been acknowledged,” he said.

“We hope the fund-raising programme receives good response. It will help Akshay Mohanty’s family get their due,” said Bibhu Das, president of the Akshay Mohanty Foundation, one of the leading organisations dedicated to the promotion and preservation of the legend’s music and works. The foundation has signed an MoU with Ravenshaw University to come up with a music school dedicated to him.

“The Akshay Mohanty Contemporary School of Music will be launched by October this year,” he said.

“The school will have a special curriculum under the varsity’s syllabus. Professional training in all forms of instrumental and vocal music will be imparted here,” he said.