I am not one who keeps on saying
that ‘Music is my life’. I am rather one who would like to introduce myself as
a keen follower of music. I love music, and it is no doubt an integral part of
my day to day life, which I suppose has no point of being discussed here. But
today I would rather like to say something about this particular guy, Angaraag Papon Mahanta, who can be
termed as the Czar of the present
Assamese Music generation. And most significantly, he achieved this position on his
own, irrespective of the fact that both his mom and dad are renowned Assamese
musicians.And for those who don't know him, he is the singer of the songs, "Jeeye Kyu" from the Movie Dum Marro Dum, and the latest, "Kyu" from Barfi.
Angaraag Papon Mahanta |
I am supposedly one of the very
first persons who were introduced to this intoxicating voice of Papon during the
preliminary phases of his musical career. My uncle also happened to be a fond music
lover, and he has a whole lot collection of unconventional of musical albums.
So when ‘Junaki Raati’ of the
Assamese musical Czar was released in the year 2004, me being a young student
of Class V, heard him for the first time through this uncle of mine. He had the
cassette in his car, which I borrowed from him as I was addicted to his song
called ‘Mom Mur Uri Gusi Jai’. This
was it; I became an esteemed fan and follower of this star. I kept a narrow
watch of his developments, and when he formed his band called, The East India Company in 2007, I was
the first one in whole of my friends circle to talk about it. Infact, as a
matter of fact, one of my friends, Zubin from DPS used to tease me with the band’s
name, as he believed that no such band existed. But Pallab and Jyotirmoy, two of my best
friends, who heard of him through me and joined the initial legacy of his fan
following.
This is it, look at him now.
Papon is an idolized name in the lips of each and every youth of Assam and even
whole of NE and India. But what actually made him such a success? What has he done apart
of utilizing his gifted intoxicating voice? Well he brought in something into
the Assamese music industry, which have changed the whole orientation of the
industry. He fused the folk with rock. He blended in modern musical instruments
with the traditional tunes and this has really clicked well not only in the
regional but also in the national music industry. He is the one who is credited
to have invented this new genre of music called the electrofolk.
The best thing about Papon was
that, even when people didn’t know him, he performed in some of the so much
well know prestigious and established places. He attended many of the
international music summits, and performed significantly well. And it was all
because of his incredible talent of attracting the music lovers around. His hard
work and innovation in music made him associated with many top class musicians of
the country and world, and combined with him, he delivered master pieces.
One of his songs, ‘Naina Lagge’,
that was recently included in the movie ‘SoundTrack’ was performed in a show in
Geneva, alongside the greats Midival Punditz, which gives you fair enough idea
about his classical base. I happened to come across this video of the song, few
years back, probably in 2009, in Youtube and since then I have been trying hard
to share it, but luck enough the movie sound track did the trick for me.
The ‘Pak Pak’, the signature Bihu
song of Papon, which has been the demand of all the Assamese youth was actually
performed in Singapore, where hardly anyone understood the language, and yet
they did not refrain from joining him, such is the energy of him. If you happen
to browse through the practice jamming session video of the song in Bangalore,
you would actually learn how much hard work he put in into the song to make it
such a hit.
Continuing to this, the best thing
about Papon’s concerts is that, he puts in a lot of energy into his shows, and noticeably
towards the end of the songs. Every song of him has a very energetic end which enthralls
the audience.
The name of Papon is not only
restricted to the domains of Assamese music industry now. He is a national hit.
His songs of Bollywood have the top of the charts. And he has been in the
limelight of most of top musicians, especially after his contribution to show
called MTV Coke Studio. The recent song on the show is such a wonderful fusion
of the folk and rock or in the other words, ethnic and modernity.
Papon is no doubt the best things
to have happened to the Assamese music industry in the recent times, he is the
one who has to be credited with the miracle of bring back Folk music into the
hearts of the current generation. I have been a keen follower or rather a diehard
fan right from his first album to his latest coke studio venture. He has been nominated
twice under the Best Folk Album category for his two Assamese folk albums Gomseng
(Bihu) with Rashmi
and Phagunar Gaan (Holi Songs) at the prestigious GIMA awards. And
apart from that his song with Rabbi Shergil, called ‘Khulle da Rabb’ and been
the part of an international channel. Thus he is a matter of pride for the
Assamese music community, in fact whole of the Assamese population for his
significant work.
Love and Fame all his way: Papon |
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