Born on 1st August 1919 in Village Bareji (Teliyakalan) district Deoria, Moti BA wrote lyrics for more than 60 Hindi and Bhojpuri movies. Very few people know that his original name is Moti Lal Upadhyay. He graduated from Benaras Hindu University (BHU) in 1938 with a BA degree followed by a master's degree in1941. He also acquired BT and Sahitya Ratna degrees. During early days in his career, he wrote for news papers like Aaj, Aaryavart and Sansaar. He wrote songs for hindi movies Saajan (1947) and Nadiya Ke Paar (1948) which were very popular. His articles and poetry used to appear on front page of Aaj daily. He was awarded 1st ever Bhojpuri Samman by Sahitya Acadamy in August 2002.
He was not keeping good health since past 8 years and died on 18th January 2009 morning. He wrote songs of old Bhojpuri movie Nadiya Ke Paar (not the new one with Sachin and Saadhna Singh but old one directed by Kishore Sahu). Ravindra Srivastava "Jugani" says about him "मोती बीए जी त अपने आप मेँ एक ठो संस्थान बानी। ". Some of his popular publications are MahuaBari, Semar ke phool, tulasi rasayan, badalika,lachari,meghdoot (bhojpuri) love & Beauti.
मुझे इस बात का दुख है कि आपको जैसा सम्मान मिलना चाहिए, वैसा नहीं मिला। पर इससे हताश होने की कोई जरूरत नहीं। "कालोह्म निरवधिर्विपुल च पृथ्वी।" - डॉ हजारी प्रसाद द्विवेदी
श्री मोती बीए के सेमर के फ़ूल में भोजपुरी क्षेत्र के वरनन एतना सटीक भ इ ल बा ज इ से केमरा में फोटो खींचल होखे।- डॉ विजय नारायण सिंह
