Celebrated singer and composer Papon captivated audiences at ABP Network’s Ideas of India 2025 during the session “Rhythm Divine: Growing Up with Music for the Soul.” He reflected on his musical upbringing, journey to Bollywood and the deep connection that he shares with music.
“I was fortunate to be born into a family where music was a way of life. It was always like a mehfil at home,” he shared. His father, known as the Bihu Samraat, introduced him to a world of melodies, from traditional Assamese tunes to legends like Ghulam Ali and Jagjit Singh.
Speaking about his musical evolution, Papon credited Delhi and Mumbai for shaping his craft. “Delhi taught me a lot – the language, the nuances and the depth of music,” he said. However, Bollywood was never a planned destination for him. “I never set out for Bollywood. The people here are incredibly supportive – they actually believed in me.”
On the story behind his stage name, he revealed that ‘Papon’ was originally a nickname. When he asked legendary lyricist Gulzar about using his real name, Angarag Mahanta, Gulzar Sahab responded, “Your real name is beautiful, but you look and sound like Papon (‘Tum Dikhte sunte papon hi ho) And the name stuck.”
For Papon, music has always been an intimate experience, whether singing at home or performing for thousands. “Concerts are just an extension of what I used to do, singing for a few people at home. Now, it’s for five thousand, but the feeling remains the same.”
The session concluded on a soulful note as Papon mesmerized the audience with his music, leaving everyone in the magic of rhythm and melody.
ABP Network’s Ideas of India 2025, themed ‘Humanity’s Next Frontier,’ brought together thought leaders and innovators to discuss India’s growth in a rapidly evolving world. The summit explored key challenges and opportunities, including climate change, geopolitical shifts, and advancements in AI. The two-day summit brought together a confluence of ideas from global thought leaders, intellectuals, and change-makers, covering transformative possibilities in science, medicine, social contracts, and global leadership, with experts from diverse fields offering bold visions of a better, more sustainable world for all.
