Papon
Promo of Angaraag Papon Mahanta's Dubai event. Image - Twitter

Bollywood singer from Assam, Angaraag Papon Mahanta promises a night of foot-tapping music during his performance to be held at the Hard Rock Café, Dubai Festival City on January 26, 2019.

While uploading a promo of the event on his Twitter handle on Tuesday, Papon has invited his fans and get tickets for the live musical event which will start at 9 pm. However, the gates will be opened from 7:30 pm onwards.

He tweeted: “Hello Dubai! It’s Hard Rock Cafe this Friday! Get your tickets soon.”

In an interview with Khaleej Times, Papon, when asked “What can fans expect at your concert in Dubai?” said, “They can expect an experience – of love, laughter, tears and a journey of story-telling weaved with good music. At times, they will find it difficult to stop tapping their feet (to the music).”

Papon, who has deep roots in the classical and folk traditions of Assam, has carved a niche for himself as one of the most versatile artistes in the Indian music industry.

In the interview, Papon also said: “I am really excited to be performing in Dubai. It is a great platform for me as an artiste to interact with fans of Bollywood music abroad and celebrate the rich musical culture of India. The fans can expect a great evening filled with the best of Bollywood and some of my personal favourites.”

When he was asked what he likes about Dubai, Papon said: “I think it’s one of the most cosmopolitan cities in the world. You can sample the whole world here. The people, the food, the art and culture of the entire world. On a personal note I also love Dubai’s bold modern-day architecture.”

Papon, who has his musical roots steeped in Assamese folk, when asked what can modern music learn from the folk genre and vice versa? he said: “It can learn the art of storytelling through melodies, but having said that, I must say that modern music has great production values and delivery.”

On the query whether he attempts to infuse folk music elements from Northeast India when he composes songs for Bollywood films, the singer from Assam said: “It would all depend on the story and the song. Having said that, I have composed for a few films. In a couple of movies, the situation did not require or have any scope for indigenous sounds, but if you listen to my song Yeh Tishnagi, it does have an element of ‘Ghoxaa’ in the melody, which is a devotional form of Neo Vaishnavite music in Assam.