Papon reveals AI can never replace the traditional music, says 'its soul remains inherently human' - Exclusive

While talking about how he kicked off his music career, Papon told Moneycontrol, “Music has always been my identity more than a business. Growing up in Assam, my home reverberated with folk and classical music—my parents, Khagen Mahanta and Archana Mahanta, were both renowned Assamese singers, with my father being celebrated as the "King of Bihu." This environment planted the seeds of my passion. Initially, I went to Delhi to study architecture but soon found myself jamming with fellow musicians in college, and that’s when I knew music was my calling. My first album, Junaki Raati, came out in 2004, marking the official launch of my musical journey.”

Papon also shared that he has experimented with different music genres, including ambient electronica, acoustic folk, ghazals, new-age sounds, and Indian classical music over the years. However, he has yet to explore K-pop.

He said, “Absolutely. I’ve experimented with ambient electronica, acoustic folk, ghazals, new-age sounds, and Indian classical music over the years. That said, there are still styles I haven’t ventured deeply into—I admit I haven’t explored K-Pop much, for example—and I’d love to dive into pure jazz or Afrobeat next, to see how those forms might intersect with my Assamese folk roots.”

The singer talked about his favourite project and revealed which particular album still holds a special place in his heart. He called his song Raag Yaman with Anu Malik and Varun Grover ‘pure magic’ and Moh Moh Ke Dhaage for Dum Laga Ke Haisha ‘unforgettable’.

Papon revealed, “My debut Hindi album, The Story So Far, holds a special place in my heart—it was my first full-length foray into reggae, pop, jazz, and rock, and it taught me so much about blending global sounds with my own voice. On the film side, Moh Moh Ke Dhaage for Dum Laga Ke Haisha remains unforgettable; the recording process, improvising in Raag Yaman with Anu Malik and Varun Grover, felt like pure magic.”

When asked about his favourite music genres or artists outside of his own work, Papon said, “I’ve always drawn inspiration from a wide spectrum: Baul music of Bengal, gospel choirs, rock, blues, even Irish rock like U2. Growing up, I listened endlessly to Jagjit Singh, my father’s compositions, Mehdi Hassan, Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan, Pink Floyd, Frank Zappa, and Louis Armstrong—each of these artists taught me different ways to feel and frame a melody.”

Besides music, Papon enjoys travelling, painting and experimenting with indigenous cuisines and recipes. He calls himself a nature addict and admitted that he often finds creative sparks while wandering through hills or sitting by a river.

He added, “Art and photography are also passions of mine; framing a photograph teaches me about composition and silence in music. These experiences feed back into my songwriting, helping me capture moments of stillness and movement.”

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The singer headlined the global stage with his recent International collaboration with Grammy-nominated audio engineer Darren Heelis. He has also worked with UK artists Karsh Kale and The Libertines for the musical series, The Dewarists. However, he has one artist on his wishlist with whom he wants to collaborate in the future to create something exceptional.

While sharing his experience about working with Darren, Papon shared with us, “Working with Darren in London was like meeting a person who knew my aesthetics already—like a brother I knew from long ago. It was also a learning process for me as I produce my own music and mix a bit. In the past, on The Dewarists, I collaborated with Karsh Kale and The Libertines from the UK, which was an incredible fusion of Celtic melodies and folk.”

He talked about his wish to work with Norah Jones, who is one of the top jazz artists of the 2000s.

He told Moneycontrol, “Going forward, I’d love to explore projects with artists who bridge traditional and modern worlds—perhaps someone like Norah Jones—so we can create something truly boundary-less.”

The singer shared insightful advice to aspiring musicians looking to make a mark in the music industry.

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Papon said, “First, know your style, your range, and your strengths—don’t mimic another singer; let your unique voice shine through. Second, say ‘no’ more often than ‘yes’—choose quality over quantity, because the right song will find you when you stay true to your vision. Finally, keep learning and stay curious; every genre you explore, every collaboration you undertake, adds another color to your musical palette.”

Papon recently released a song titled Room Khali Hai from his upcoming album Puraa Aasman. The lyrics of the song are penned by his friend Manoj Chaudhry from Uttarakhand. The singer described the song as “an intimate track about waiting for life’s currents to carry you forward.”

However, he also teased his upcoming projects and shared with Moneycontrol, “I’m working on two full-length ghazal albums, taking my time to dive deep into Urdu poetry and mature my expression for that genre. Keep an eye out for more singles.”