MUMBAI : Angaraag Mahanta, better known as Papon, is among the most iconic musicians to have emerged from Guwahati. He was raised in a rich musical atmosphere where he learned the famed folk music of the region, as well as various other forms of Indian classical music. His father, Khagen Mahanta is known as the ‘King of Bihu’, and mother Archana Mahanta, a fellow folk singer. But, is music what he wanted to choose as a career option?
‘Hometown Heroes’, a musical documentary made by Red Bull Media House Production’s takes Papon back to his hometown, to get many of these questions answered. The documentary sees the musician travelling through various cities in the region, met old friends and family. The singer-composer introduced fans to a side of his life that, although documented, remains largely unexplored from within.
In a candid conversation with Radioandmusic.com, Papon said, “It’s difficult to timeframe when I started. As my parents were musicians, music was somehow blended in my roots and I don’t know when it became my profession. This is all I do. It’s a great feeling when you do something that you love and worship.”
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“Though somewhere, in the beginning, it was kind of a burden to become a musician because there was too much of pressure. It was like even if you do something, it is always compared to your parent’s work. Music was not a new-found love for me and I actually ran away from my parents to Delhi to study architecture (smiles),” added the national award winning singer.
According to him, while he was doing his graduation and away from his family plus the musical sight, he realized that music is the only thing he was destined for. That’s why he dropped out of college and started his musical journey.
Watch Papon revisit his roots, travelling back to where it all began, in this seven-part documentary series ‘Hometown Heroes.’
Watch the full video here: win.gs/2aKQMnk
