Latest news with #Papon
Time of India
6 days ago
- Entertainment
- Time of India
Papon: It's humbling to know that my music could be a part of someone's healing
Singer Papon, celebrated for his soulful melodies, recently touched the heart of a fan, Geetu, whose recovery from a severe illness was aided by his music. Despite her health struggles, Geetu was determined to meet Papon, and her dedication led to an unexpected opportunity to perform with him. Singer Papon, known for songs such as Moh Moh Ke Dhaage, Bulleya (Sultan), Jiyein Kyun (Dum Maaro Dum), and Kyon (Barfi!), was the subject of a recent Instagram post by a fan who said his music helped her during a serious illness. Talking about the inciden, Papon said, 'It's humbling to know that my music could be a part of someone's healing. As artists, we live for these connections, they remind us why we do what we do. Moments like these stay with you for a lifetime.' In June, Geetu was hospitalised with a severe health condition and was unable to take up a chance to perform at Bhoomi 2025 with Papon and TICE. In her post, she wrote that she had told her mentors she would attend despite not being able to walk properly, 'just to meet the artist whose music meant so much' to her. On July 25, Geetu received a late-night call from musician Kalyani Nair offering her a slot in the project. She described meeting Papon and being greeted as 'Geet' as a significant personal moment. 'You have healed me when therapists couldn't. You have inspired me to follow my passion. I will be your number one fan forever,' her post read.
Hindustan Times
06-08-2025
- Entertainment
- Hindustan Times
Papon excited about ghazal album after success of Metro In Dino's songs: ‘Desire to create honest and timeless music'
Singer-songwriter Papon is glad that his long-standing effort to bring ghazals into the contemporary music space is finally getting the recognition it deserves — and that too through mainstream Bollywood. The 49-year-old singer's songs in the recently released film Metro In Dino, especially Qayde Se, Yaad, and Zamana Lage – Mood Shift, have been receiving rave reviews for capturing the emotional depth of traditional ghazals while giving them a fresh, modern identity. Papon will soon release his ghazal album 'I didn't expect so many people to resonate so deeply with these songs. It's been overwhelming in the best way. It reassures me that there's still a strong place for this kind of music today,' Papon says. Composed by Pritam and written by Sayeed Quadri, the tracks stand out, not just for their lyrical poignancy but, also for Papon's ability to lend each line a quiet intensity — something that fans of ghazals instantly recognise. But for Assam-born singer, this is not a new direction — it's a continuation of his deep-rooted love for the form. 'Ghazals have been a part of my musical journey for as long as I can remember — not just as a genre, but as a feeling, a space where words and silence meet. When I was working on the songs for Metro In Dino, I approached them with that same emotion,' he shares. Infact, Papon recalls that Zamana Lage – Mood Shift, initially, wasn't even originally intended as a ghazal. 'It was a very different song, but I felt it had the potential to carry the mood of a ghazal. I reworked it completely — from the phrasing to the emotional texture — to give it that depth and stillness that ghazals require,' he explains. Beyond Bollywood as well, Papon has spent the last few years building a live relationship with the genre. His Shaam-E-Mehfil concert series has allowed him to explore ghazals on stage, and his performances at platforms like Jashn-e-Rekhta have highlighted his comfort and command over the genre. With the success of the Metro In Dino tracks, there's growing excitement around his upcoming ghazal album — a project he has been quietly working on. 'I've been performing ghazals on stage for years, but to see them connect through a mainstream film is very special,' he says. 'It also gives me more impetus to pour my heart into my upcoming ghazal album, which I've been slowly and lovingly building. There's no rush — just a desire to create something honest and timeless,' Papon signs off.
Hindustan Times
27-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Hindustan Times
Papon thrilled to see K-pop fan daughter humming ghazals at his concert: 'This is the power of music'
Last Saturday, to observe World Music Day, singer Papon enthralled audiences in Mumbai with a special performance, interspersing his Bollywood melodies with soulful ghazals. The Shaam-e-Mehfil saw the singer take the stage for a two-hour-long concert filled with the best of Jagjit Singh, Ghulam Ali, and Farida Khanum, among others. During the concert, the singer also had a personal anecdote to share with the audience. Papon performs on the World Music Day 2025. The Shaam-e-Mehfil, organised by Sachi Entertainment, was held on Saturday evening at Mumbai's Shanmukhananda Hall, and saw Papon reel off several popular ghazals, starting with Jagjit Singh's Tum Itna Jo Muskura Rahe Ho. At the end of the ghazal, he held the mic towards the audience, asking them to join along. As the 'jugalbandi' ended, Papon quipped, 'I saw my daughter sitting and singing. She doesn't like ghazals. Korean-vorean sunti hai (She listens to KPop). But even she was singing along. This is the power of music.' Papon on stage at the Shaam-e-Mehfil in Mumbai. Papon then performed several iconic ghazals over the next two hours, sharing stories about them and including some of his own Shayari. For the Bollywood fans present, he sang a few of his popular filmy numbers as well, ranging from Kyon to Moh Moh Ke Dhaage and Jeeyein Kyun. A musical medley with the audience The performance came to a close with a special rendition of Farida Khanum's Aaj Jaane Ki Zid Na Karo, in which he had the audience join along as well. But before that, the singer did something special with the 1,000-odd listeners in the auditorium. As the auditorium was illuminated by cell phone flashlights, he indulged in a jugalbandi with the audience. Papon had the audience sing along, hum along, and croon along in a soulful medley sans lyrics.
Time of India
22-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Time of India
Papon's ghazal night strikes a chord on World Music Day
On World Music Day, Papon captivated Mumbai's Shanmukhananda Hall with a concert blending soulful melodies and playful banter. He performed ghazals and popular hits, showcasing his poetic side and engaging the audience with humor. The evening felt like an intimate gathering, filled with laughter, song requests, and heartfelt connections, highlighting Papon's respect for poetry and his fans. On the occasion of World Music Day, singer-composer Papon delivered an unforgettable evening of soul-stirring melodies and hearty laughter at Mumbai's iconic Shanmukhananda Hall. Known for Bollywood hits like Bulleya (Sultan), Humnava (Hamari Adhuri Kahani), Kyon (Barfi!), and Moh Moh Ke Dhaage (Dum Laga Ke Haisha), Sunday's concert showcased a more intimate, fun and rather poetic side of the singer, one that all ghazal aficionados cherished deeply. Almost every seat of the three floors of the auditorium was occupied as his fans were treated to a carefully curated setlist. Among them were Benaam Khwaayishein, Baavle Jharne, Kaun Mera, Ahista Ahista, Aaj Jaane Ki Zid Na Karo, Kal Chaudhvin Ki Raat Thi, Aap Ki Ankhon Mein Kuch, Ek Akela Is Shahar Mein, and many others, each track dripping with emotion and nostalgia. Between songs, Papon's natural charm and comedic timing lit up the hall. His playful sher-shayari drew laughter from the audience, especially when he admitted, 'I just read this sher on Instagram!' One particularly hilarious moment came early on when audience members erupted into applause as he sang just the first note of a song. Papon paused and said, 'Kya baat hai, sirf saa pe hi itna appreciation! When I was learning sa re ga ma i never thought one day I will get to hear this just for singing 'saa'!' Not one to miss a chance for a laugh, he took a jab at the freezing auditorium, 'Aap logon ko thand nahi lagti? I was told, they can't control the temperature. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Trading CFD dengan Teknologi dan Kecepatan Lebih Baik IC Markets Mendaftar Undo So it's going remain chilly. Chalo, I am the hot guy here, who you all are looking at, so aap log sek rahein honge!' He followed this with the ghazal, Shola Hoon Bhadakne Ki Guzaarish Nahin Karta, and wowed the audience. One of the most magical moments of the evening came when Papon invited the audience to sing sargams with him. What began as a spontaneous interaction turned into a harmonious choral experience. The entire hall sang in perfect pitch, prompting Papon to ask in disbelief, 'Shanmukhananda mein audience audition dene ke baad aati hai kya?' Requests kept pouring in, and Papon responded to as many as he could. At one point, he said with a laugh, 'You all are shouting together. At my hometown, fish market sounds like this! I will try to sing all these for you.' When someone requested Baavle Jharne, he was visibly moved: 'Yahan kaise kaise log aaye hain? You know Baavle Jharne also? I didn't expect this. It's one of my favourite tracks. When people ask for such songs, it is so beautiful. ' In a particularly touching gesture, he walked to the edge of the stage and sat down to serenade a fan holding up a poster, turning the concert into a moment of pure connection. His self-deprecating humour along with his infectious laughter gave the evening the feel of an intimate mehfil. 'Lag raha hain hum ghar pe gaa rahein hain but this is an auditorium, and we have to stop the performance on time. Kabhie ghar pe bulaiye then we can sing all night long!' What stood out throughout the night was Papon's deep respect for poetry and the poets behind his songs. Before every ghazal, he acknowledged the lyricist and composer. Papon's set list Kaun Kehta Hai Kyon Kaun Mera Aaj Jaane Ki Zid Na Karo Moh Moh Ke Dhaage Jiyein Kyun
Hindustan Times
20-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Hindustan Times
From Papon to Anuv Jain: Musicians recall their first concert ever!
For every artist performing sold-out arenas and headlining music festivals today, there was once a first time—an unglamorous stage, modest crowds, nervous anticipation, and that unforgettable rush of being heard. From intimate café gigs and school festivals to chaotic underground rap shows, these first performances left an indelible mark on their journeys. We asked a range of Indian musicians—indie darlings, playback stars, and producers—about their very first concert. What they shared was a mix of nostalgia, vulnerability, and joy. Here's a peek into the raw, unfiltered beginnings of artists you've streamed, sung along with, and cheered for. Papon, Shilpa Rao and Anuv Jain among other musicians recall their first concert ever! Before his romantic ballads took over playlists, Stebin Ben was nervously setting foot in a small Bhopal café. 'It was a small setup, maybe 40-50 people, but the vibe was amazing,' he says. 'I was nervous, but once I started singing, the energy shifted.' What stayed with him even more than the ₹ 5,000 fee was the validation: 'A few people actually came up to me after the show and said they liked it—and that meant everything.' He would go on to save ₹ 20,000 from similar café shows and make the move to Mumbai. 'That's how it all began.' Shalmali Kholgade Around 2012, fresh off the release of her breakout song Pareshaan, Shalmali found herself performing at a Times of India event on Worli Seaface. 'I did it by myself, on tracks,' she recalls. 'I remember being excited but also clueless as to how it would go.' Despite the early jitters, she held her own and even earned a decent paycheck. 'I vaguely remember getting paid 50,000 or so for it,' she says. That first solo performance marked the start of her evolution from playback singer to a live performer who now commands massive festival crowds. Shilpa Rao For Shilpa Rao, her first concert memory is more a family story than her own. 'I have a very faint memory of it, actually,' she says, laughing. 'My parents have told me more about it than I remember myself.' She was just five when she joined her father on stage in Jamshedpur. 'He had taught me a few songs, expecting I'd sing just one and then sit quietly. But once I started singing, I didn't stop—I kept going!' She earned ₹ 101 that day, but what stayed with her was the pride on her father's face. 'That joy and pride my parents felt—that was priceless.' Papon Though known today for his deeply emotive songs and Assamese folk-electronic blend, Papon didn't leap into live shows right away. 'My first proper concert was in 2007, three years after my album launch,' he shares. 'I wanted the music to get popular first. Nobody knew me till then.' Encouraged by a friend, he finally agreed. 'Ronji, from the dhaba, he organised it. It cost 35K. We called my friends, some guitar players, and put together a proper show.' The response? 'Full house. That was the big concert. That's where it all started.' Akshat Acharya Before his breakout hit Naadaniyan struck a chord with indie music lovers, Akshat Acharya was just hoping his first concert wouldn't fall flat. 'I was really nervous—it was the first time we were performing our set in a full band format,' he shares. 'When you take pop songs and adapt them for a live band, it takes a lot of reworking.' To add to the pressure, the audience wasn't full of strangers. 'There were friends and people I work with—people I really respect. That definitely added pressure.' But once the band hit their stride, things changed. 'I had an absolute blast. For a first performance, we did pretty well. Looking back now, there's such a stark difference—it really helped shape who we are today.' Anuv Jain Before he was packing venues across India, Anuv Jain played his first-ever gig in 2019 in Chandigarh. 'There were about 100-150 people. It was a sit-down concert—very meditation-y, yoga sort of vibe,' he recalls. It was also the first time he performed a set of his own songs. 'I was paid around 10 grand—which was a huge amount for me back then.' But it wasn't just the money that changed things. 'That's when I thought—maybe I can become a musician.' Akanksha Bhandari In 2019, Akanksha Bhandari performed her first gig singing all covers. 'I made my own set for the show,' she says. 'It was a beautiful show.' Even though she wasn't paid, the impact was lasting. 'A lot of fans from that show still text me saying they saw me perform there and loved it.' Was she disappointed about not getting paid? Not at all. 'It was a new space, but getting that opportunity was brilliant. I won't ever complain about it.' OAFF Long before scoring Gehraiyaan, OAFF performed at CEPT University in Ahmedabad with his friend longtime collaborator Savera, in the early 2000s. 'We were the only school kids performing there while all the other bands were much, much older,' he remembers. 'It was a community thing—everyone played for free. At least we weren't paid!' Despite their age, the duo held their ground. 'It was really, really cool. Definitely a first gig to remember.' Chaar Diwari Rapper Chaar Diwaari's debut show was as chaotic as it was unforgettable. 'It was a show featuring some of the best underground Delhi rappers—Arpit Bala, Faizan, J Block,' he says. 'I held the mic as Chaar Diwari for the first time. I was jumping around—I didn't even look good doing it!' He used regular earphones as makeshift in-ear monitors and tried to perform his freshly composed song Bhul Ja, but the DJ couldn't play it. Still, he got a warm welcome and stayed for the afterparty. 'I didn't get paid—actually, I gave money because I had to buy a ticket. But it was totally worth it. One of my core memories as a musician.'
