Upcoming Assamese, Angarag Mahanta, aka Papon, is very happy to associate with digital app MX Player for their new social and political awareness series, Express Yourself.
He has sung for the episodic theme of river conservation. “With rising populations depleting the ground water levels, there is a lot of pressure on river water as a supply option.”
“Having lived on the banks of the great Brahmaputra, I am very aware of the dangers of pollution (no major segregation of sewage and chemical effluents) killing our precious waterways. The thought of life without aqua is too horrendous to even contemplate. Guys pls let’s do this for the sake of our kids and future generations,” adds Papon, who first gained national fame with MTV Coke Studio back in 2013.
He also went on to sing the title track of MTV Roadies X: Battle for Glory.
“Interestingly, I have sung a lot about rivers. My first album had a song on the river and there have been several more after that. For me the river water symbolizes life. All great civilizations have started on river banks,” says Papon, who has a folk fusion band called Papon and The East India Company.
“I am sure like me, millions of fellow Indians too would not want our loved rivers to die. It’s just that they are too busy in their struggle of daily life to pay attention. My song and commentary is just a wake-up call. I am very happy to note the huge social media reaction to my efforts. Here I wish to thank MX Player for having given me and other singers (Sonu Nigam, Swanand Kirkire, Monica Dogra etc.) this opportunity to do our bit towards society.”
Talking about digital media, he says, “It is the best platform for artists like me to reach our audiences. Today people are very choosy in going to the cinema halls or even watching TV shows at a fixed time. Net, on the other hand, gives you the freedom to watch what you want, when you want, that to on your phone,” says Papon, who was a part of Home Town Heroes, a 2016 seven-part documentary web series that revisits the story of his youth and rising career.
“There is just one red flag I wish to raise, i.e, digital format owners also need to ensure that singers and writers get their dues. You can’t keep most of the profits and then expect them to keep putting in their best.”
In closing, Papon says that he is very happy at the current stage of his career. “To be honest, I have just started and there is a long way to go. But I am certainly on the right path with good playback offers (songs in Sanju, Befikre and Sultan) coming my way.”