Q&A WITH PAPON

Not only is Papon multifaceted—he sings, writes and composes his own songs—he is also prolific. After releasing close to a dozen tracks last year, he recently released the earworm ‘Main Aaj Bhi Wahin’

Q. You have collaborated with the likes of Karsh Kale and MIDIval Punditz in the past. Your new song, ‘Main Aaj Bhi Wahin’, also has a strong electronica influence. What draws you to that genre?

You will find traces of electronica even in my first Assamese album, released in the late 1990s, Jonaki Raati. I was exposed to electronic music in Delhi where I met MIDIval Punditz and started jamming with them. I have many unreleased electronic tracks. Only now did I think of putting this out.

Q. How different is playback singing from making your own songs? Do you have a preference?

Playback singing is out of my comfort zone because it is someone else’s imagination. I have to make it my own and then give an output the composer wants. I have been lucky. I have gotten good songs which have helped me expand my repertoire and horizon.

Q. You released over 10 songs in 2020. Was making music your way of coping with the pandemic?

There is a lot more to be released. It took me a while to understand the impact the lockdown had on our lives.

With no help from outside, my wife Shweta and I learnt how to manage the house with two little children.

Once we got used to that, I was just making music in my home studio. There was no distraction, no travel, so I could be more creative.

Q. You’ve said that the lockdown made you a barber, gardener and cook. Looking ahead, which of these skills will serve you most in the future?

I became a housekeeping expert. I was an electrician, a mechanic and many other things. I enjoyed gardening because I love nature. I also have fond memories of farming with my father in our Guwahati home.