New Delhi: The success of playback singer and live performer Papon in India should serve as an example for the rest of the country to follow. Assamese singer Angarag Mahanta (stagename Papon) is known for hit tracks such as 'Moh Moh Ke Dhaage', 'Kyon', 'Bulleya' and more. He recently revealed that he will be dropping three EPs soon. In an exclusive conversation with ABPLive, Papon shared his favourite memory from Delhi, his inspiration and more. He also encouraged individuals to discover and develop their own musical style in order to best express themselves.
Here’s the excerpt from the conversation:
Who is your favourite Indian singer and whom do you take inspiration from?
I take inspiration from both old and new singers. It's difficult to choose a single favourite because I have learned, absorbed, and gone through so much music over the last few decades. Diverse music is my inspiration.
Hailing from the northeastern part of India, when you see more talents come into the singing and dancing arena. How do you feel?
Being from the northeast, it definitely feels good to see talented people from my region shining in the mainstream. Breaking cultural and language barriers to make a name for oneself is no small feat, and I'm proud of them.
Tell us about your favourite memory from Delhi!
I have many memories of Delhi, from its beautiful parks to its late-night street food. The city helped shape my taste and played a significant role in my development as an artist. So, I cherish many fond memories from Delhi.
Your favourite Delhi food and what do you miss about Delhi?
I miss everything from chole chawal to kulche to bread pakodas to chaat food to daal makhani and tandoori roti. Delhi's cuisine is unmatched, and I miss it dearly.
As we see the rise of K-pop, do you think it is hyped or well-deserved?
I haven't explored K-Pop much, so I can't say. But it must be good; otherwise, it wouldn't have gained such immense popularity.
Your song ‘Jiyein Kyun’ from ‘Dum Maaro Dum’ is my personal favourite. Do you have any special memories of the song? Where did you record it or how did you prepare for it?
"Jiyein Kyun" from the movie "Dum Maaro Dum" is one of my personal favourites. I have a very fond memory of how it came to life. I was performing at Blue Frog, a club in Mumbai when Rohan Sippy approached me and asked if I would be interested in singing for a film. At the same time, Pritam da messaged me and showed interest in my Assamese music album, which was already available on different platforms. He asked me to sing something for him and sent me a song.
I remember recording it in my Delhi home studio in the middle of the night and sending it to Pritam Da. I felt the soul of the song was right when I sang it on my own. And I'm happy it came to life. Interestingly, some parts of the recording I did in my Delhi house have been retained in the final version of the song because I felt the soul of the song was just right when I sang it alone in the middle of the night and sent it to Pritam Da. This is how "Jiyein Kyun" came to life.
Which is your favourite music genre and why?
There is no one genre of music that I like. I enjoy exploring different genres. I have experimented with various types of music such as Sufi, Ghazals, electronic, and even rock, which is influenced by my Northeastern roots. Additionally, I love the blues and have learned classical music as well. Both my parents were folk musicians, so I have been exposed to a wide range of music since childhood. Thus, it's difficult for me to pick a specific genre as my favourite. Rather, I find joy in experimenting with new songs and music, and that's what I believe is my unique style.
Are you planning to drop an album soon? Tell us about your future projects.
Yes, I'm excited to announce that I will be dropping three EPs very soon. One of them is an indie music album which I'm currently shooting for in the mountains. The second one is more like a Gazal album, and the third one is a surprise that I can't reveal yet. Starting in May, I plan to release one song every month for the next 12 months. I can't wait to share my new music with all of you, so stay tuned for updates!
In the era of competition, can you give 3 important pieces of advice for aspiring singers and young artists?
Firstly, dedicate a significant amount of time to listening and learning from music, as this comprises 50 per cent of the learning process. Pay attention to the quality, variety, and duration of the music you consume. Secondly, invest ample time into honing your craft and developing a unique sound that reflects your identity. It's essential to be original and bring something new to the world, rather than copying what has been done before. Lastly, find your own voice, sound, and music style that resonate with you and showcase your unique talent. This, I believe, is crucial in standing out in a competitive industry.