As a kid, Papon would often visit Calcutta, and spend time on Russell Street. And in the last few months he has practically made the city his second home, with one electrifying gig after another. And now, the Moh moh ke dhaage man will be taking the Science City stage on February 22 for the third edition of Emami Cultural Fiesta, with t2.
Calcutta seems to have become your second home. What about the city attracts you now?
I still go looking for that Calcutta of my childhood, which was so beautifully painted for me by my dad. I miss those days. But there’s something about this city that always makes me feel at home.
How will this show for Emami Cultural Fiesta be different from your college fest gigs or NH7
Weekender?
This is an auditorium. Perhaps it will be a seated show and we can perform songs that are a little bit more melodic, not just the high-energy songs.
After more than a decade on the music scene, what thrills you about being on stage?
I still feel the same energy that I felt 10 years ago. That excitement, joy of seeing people is still there and most importantly, I think I am more comfortable now.
What played at home in your childhood?
The soundtrack of my childhood is the sound of my parents rehearsing their music and songs to music by Jagjit Singh, Ghulam Ali, Mehdi Hassan, Begum Akhtar.... Calcutta has music memories like Salil Chowdhury, Hemanta Mukherjee and of course my dad’s music.
Over time, you win new audiences, and you lose a few people here and there. How do you try and increase your audience base?
I just take them on the journey, on the experience of a jam, of a concert. I try to make my shows more interactive, and give the music a human touch, take it beyond just music. It’s about sharing that music together, that’s what I try and do every single time. It’s like a mehfil.
What was the first record you went out and bought?
Knowing my memory, it would be difficult to say but it would have most likely been a Michael Jackson cassette or maybe a Mehdi Hassan. It could also have been one of those old-fashion Bollywood film tapes, which had songs from two movies on either side.
When you interpret another’s song, do you study the original, or do you just do your thing?
I do study the original. You have to get inside the song, imbibe the song. I do listen to it and then I leave it, stay away from it when I am recreating it. I don’t want to be influenced by the original composition at that time.
What’s the story behind recording Jiyein kyun and Khumaar?
They are two completely different songs, the first difference being that one was a film song and the other was a Coke Studio song, my own composition. Jiyein kyun (Dum Maaro Dum) came to me from Pritam and I recorded it in my home set-up in Delhi, came back to record it in Mumbai because they liked it. They preferred my home recording to the studio version because the emotions in the DIY recording were much more raw, there was more feeling.... Khumaar was an idea that has been with me for quite some time. I tried to explore different genres, different styles in one song and it all fell into place.
What do your son (Puhor) and daughter (Parijaat) have to say about your music?
They love my Maggi song, the jingle I did! And they say their dad is a rockstar. They’re very naive and in their zone. Puhor is responding and reacting to music but he is more keen to learn how to play the Angry Birds theme song on the piano.
What music gets you going in the morning?
Something soothing and easy. I like classical music, so perhaps Indian classical, raga-based music.
What is Papon’s swag factor?
My fans give me my swag!
Had you not had the gift of a golden voice, then you would have been a....
An architect or a farmer.
What makes a perfect song?
A perfect song for me is a song which takes you on a journey, there’s a story.
What: Papon in Concert
Date: February 22
Venue: Science City
Time: 6pm onwards
Papon Picks: Tu jo mila, Moh moh ke dhaage, Maula sun le re, Kyon...
For passes, contact: 033-66136264/66136775
