Latest news with #Papon
Hindustan Times
27-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Hindustan Times
Papon thrilled to see K-pop fan daughter humming ghazals at his concert: 'This is the power of music'
Last Saturday, to observe World Music Day, singer Papon enthralled audiences in Mumbai with a special performance, interspersing his Bollywood melodies with soulful ghazals. The Shaam-e-Mehfil saw the singer take the stage for a two-hour-long concert filled with the best of Jagjit Singh, Ghulam Ali, and Farida Khanum, among others. During the concert, the singer also had a personal anecdote to share with the audience. Papon performs on the World Music Day 2025. The Shaam-e-Mehfil, organised by Sachi Entertainment, was held on Saturday evening at Mumbai's Shanmukhananda Hall, and saw Papon reel off several popular ghazals, starting with Jagjit Singh's Tum Itna Jo Muskura Rahe Ho. At the end of the ghazal, he held the mic towards the audience, asking them to join along. As the 'jugalbandi' ended, Papon quipped, 'I saw my daughter sitting and singing. She doesn't like ghazals. Korean-vorean sunti hai (She listens to KPop). But even she was singing along. This is the power of music.' Papon on stage at the Shaam-e-Mehfil in Mumbai. Papon then performed several iconic ghazals over the next two hours, sharing stories about them and including some of his own Shayari. For the Bollywood fans present, he sang a few of his popular filmy numbers as well, ranging from Kyon to Moh Moh Ke Dhaage and Jeeyein Kyun. A musical medley with the audience The performance came to a close with a special rendition of Farida Khanum's Aaj Jaane Ki Zid Na Karo, in which he had the audience join along as well. But before that, the singer did something special with the 1,000-odd listeners in the auditorium. As the auditorium was illuminated by cell phone flashlights, he indulged in a jugalbandi with the audience. Papon had the audience sing along, hum along, and croon along in a soulful medley sans lyrics.
Time of India
22-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Time of India
Papon's ghazal night strikes a chord on World Music Day
On World Music Day, Papon captivated Mumbai's Shanmukhananda Hall with a concert blending soulful melodies and playful banter. He performed ghazals and popular hits, showcasing his poetic side and engaging the audience with humor. The evening felt like an intimate gathering, filled with laughter, song requests, and heartfelt connections, highlighting Papon's respect for poetry and his fans. On the occasion of World Music Day, singer-composer Papon delivered an unforgettable evening of soul-stirring melodies and hearty laughter at Mumbai's iconic Shanmukhananda Hall. Known for Bollywood hits like Bulleya (Sultan), Humnava (Hamari Adhuri Kahani), Kyon (Barfi!), and Moh Moh Ke Dhaage (Dum Laga Ke Haisha), Sunday's concert showcased a more intimate, fun and rather poetic side of the singer, one that all ghazal aficionados cherished deeply. Almost every seat of the three floors of the auditorium was occupied as his fans were treated to a carefully curated setlist. Among them were Benaam Khwaayishein, Baavle Jharne, Kaun Mera, Ahista Ahista, Aaj Jaane Ki Zid Na Karo, Kal Chaudhvin Ki Raat Thi, Aap Ki Ankhon Mein Kuch, Ek Akela Is Shahar Mein, and many others, each track dripping with emotion and nostalgia. Between songs, Papon's natural charm and comedic timing lit up the hall. His playful sher-shayari drew laughter from the audience, especially when he admitted, 'I just read this sher on Instagram!' One particularly hilarious moment came early on when audience members erupted into applause as he sang just the first note of a song. Papon paused and said, 'Kya baat hai, sirf saa pe hi itna appreciation! When I was learning sa re ga ma i never thought one day I will get to hear this just for singing 'saa'!' Not one to miss a chance for a laugh, he took a jab at the freezing auditorium, 'Aap logon ko thand nahi lagti? I was told, they can't control the temperature. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Trading CFD dengan Teknologi dan Kecepatan Lebih Baik IC Markets Mendaftar Undo So it's going remain chilly. Chalo, I am the hot guy here, who you all are looking at, so aap log sek rahein honge!' He followed this with the ghazal, Shola Hoon Bhadakne Ki Guzaarish Nahin Karta, and wowed the audience. One of the most magical moments of the evening came when Papon invited the audience to sing sargams with him. What began as a spontaneous interaction turned into a harmonious choral experience. The entire hall sang in perfect pitch, prompting Papon to ask in disbelief, 'Shanmukhananda mein audience audition dene ke baad aati hai kya?' Requests kept pouring in, and Papon responded to as many as he could. At one point, he said with a laugh, 'You all are shouting together. At my hometown, fish market sounds like this! I will try to sing all these for you.' When someone requested Baavle Jharne, he was visibly moved: 'Yahan kaise kaise log aaye hain? You know Baavle Jharne also? I didn't expect this. It's one of my favourite tracks. When people ask for such songs, it is so beautiful. ' In a particularly touching gesture, he walked to the edge of the stage and sat down to serenade a fan holding up a poster, turning the concert into a moment of pure connection. His self-deprecating humour along with his infectious laughter gave the evening the feel of an intimate mehfil. 'Lag raha hain hum ghar pe gaa rahein hain but this is an auditorium, and we have to stop the performance on time. Kabhie ghar pe bulaiye then we can sing all night long!' What stood out throughout the night was Papon's deep respect for poetry and the poets behind his songs. Before every ghazal, he acknowledged the lyricist and composer. Papon's set list Kaun Kehta Hai Kyon Kaun Mera Aaj Jaane Ki Zid Na Karo Moh Moh Ke Dhaage Jiyein Kyun
Hindustan Times
20-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Hindustan Times
From Papon to Anuv Jain: Musicians recall their first concert ever!
For every artist performing sold-out arenas and headlining music festivals today, there was once a first time—an unglamorous stage, modest crowds, nervous anticipation, and that unforgettable rush of being heard. From intimate café gigs and school festivals to chaotic underground rap shows, these first performances left an indelible mark on their journeys. We asked a range of Indian musicians—indie darlings, playback stars, and producers—about their very first concert. What they shared was a mix of nostalgia, vulnerability, and joy. Here's a peek into the raw, unfiltered beginnings of artists you've streamed, sung along with, and cheered for. Papon, Shilpa Rao and Anuv Jain among other musicians recall their first concert ever! Before his romantic ballads took over playlists, Stebin Ben was nervously setting foot in a small Bhopal café. 'It was a small setup, maybe 40-50 people, but the vibe was amazing,' he says. 'I was nervous, but once I started singing, the energy shifted.' What stayed with him even more than the ₹ 5,000 fee was the validation: 'A few people actually came up to me after the show and said they liked it—and that meant everything.' He would go on to save ₹ 20,000 from similar café shows and make the move to Mumbai. 'That's how it all began.' Shalmali Kholgade Around 2012, fresh off the release of her breakout song Pareshaan, Shalmali found herself performing at a Times of India event on Worli Seaface. 'I did it by myself, on tracks,' she recalls. 'I remember being excited but also clueless as to how it would go.' Despite the early jitters, she held her own and even earned a decent paycheck. 'I vaguely remember getting paid 50,000 or so for it,' she says. That first solo performance marked the start of her evolution from playback singer to a live performer who now commands massive festival crowds. Shilpa Rao For Shilpa Rao, her first concert memory is more a family story than her own. 'I have a very faint memory of it, actually,' she says, laughing. 'My parents have told me more about it than I remember myself.' She was just five when she joined her father on stage in Jamshedpur. 'He had taught me a few songs, expecting I'd sing just one and then sit quietly. But once I started singing, I didn't stop—I kept going!' She earned ₹ 101 that day, but what stayed with her was the pride on her father's face. 'That joy and pride my parents felt—that was priceless.' Papon Though known today for his deeply emotive songs and Assamese folk-electronic blend, Papon didn't leap into live shows right away. 'My first proper concert was in 2007, three years after my album launch,' he shares. 'I wanted the music to get popular first. Nobody knew me till then.' Encouraged by a friend, he finally agreed. 'Ronji, from the dhaba, he organised it. It cost 35K. We called my friends, some guitar players, and put together a proper show.' The response? 'Full house. That was the big concert. That's where it all started.' Akshat Acharya Before his breakout hit Naadaniyan struck a chord with indie music lovers, Akshat Acharya was just hoping his first concert wouldn't fall flat. 'I was really nervous—it was the first time we were performing our set in a full band format,' he shares. 'When you take pop songs and adapt them for a live band, it takes a lot of reworking.' To add to the pressure, the audience wasn't full of strangers. 'There were friends and people I work with—people I really respect. That definitely added pressure.' But once the band hit their stride, things changed. 'I had an absolute blast. For a first performance, we did pretty well. Looking back now, there's such a stark difference—it really helped shape who we are today.' Anuv Jain Before he was packing venues across India, Anuv Jain played his first-ever gig in 2019 in Chandigarh. 'There were about 100-150 people. It was a sit-down concert—very meditation-y, yoga sort of vibe,' he recalls. It was also the first time he performed a set of his own songs. 'I was paid around 10 grand—which was a huge amount for me back then.' But it wasn't just the money that changed things. 'That's when I thought—maybe I can become a musician.' Akanksha Bhandari In 2019, Akanksha Bhandari performed her first gig singing all covers. 'I made my own set for the show,' she says. 'It was a beautiful show.' Even though she wasn't paid, the impact was lasting. 'A lot of fans from that show still text me saying they saw me perform there and loved it.' Was she disappointed about not getting paid? Not at all. 'It was a new space, but getting that opportunity was brilliant. I won't ever complain about it.' OAFF Long before scoring Gehraiyaan, OAFF performed at CEPT University in Ahmedabad with his friend longtime collaborator Savera, in the early 2000s. 'We were the only school kids performing there while all the other bands were much, much older,' he remembers. 'It was a community thing—everyone played for free. At least we weren't paid!' Despite their age, the duo held their ground. 'It was really, really cool. Definitely a first gig to remember.' Chaar Diwari Rapper Chaar Diwaari's debut show was as chaotic as it was unforgettable. 'It was a show featuring some of the best underground Delhi rappers—Arpit Bala, Faizan, J Block,' he says. 'I held the mic as Chaar Diwari for the first time. I was jumping around—I didn't even look good doing it!' He used regular earphones as makeshift in-ear monitors and tried to perform his freshly composed song Bhul Ja, but the DJ couldn't play it. Still, he got a warm welcome and stayed for the afterparty. 'I didn't get paid—actually, I gave money because I had to buy a ticket. But it was totally worth it. One of my core memories as a musician.'
Hindustan Times
18-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Hindustan Times
Singer Papon on love for ghazal: Students ask me to sing ghazals at concerts
Besides soulful film and non-film tracks, a genre of music that's extremely close to singer Papon's heart is ghazal. An integral part of all his concert setlists, the musician admits that a large section of the audience that requests him to sing ghazal at gigs are college students. 'After Jagjit Singh (late singer), no one has created fresh sound for ghazal; what we hear today are mostly classics. I'm trying to change that and the response has been encouraging. Nowadays, college students and young audiences request me to sing ghazal at my concerts, which proves that Indians still have a deep-rooted love for the art form. We must revive it,' says the singer, who is set to release two ghazal albums. Speaking about the albums he's working on, the Moh Moh Ke Dhagey (Dum Laga Ke Haisha, 2015) singer adds, 'I'm just giving the final touches to the album before jetting off for my international (US) tour. I will release them as soon as I am back.' Lamenting the 'shortage of good ghazal writing today', which had been mastered by poets such as Nida Fazli, Qateel Shifai and Bashir Badr, the 49-year-old shares, 'Ghazal writing is an art, and just knowing Hindi and Urdu isn't enough. While some still write ghazal, the numbers are few.' However, he is hoping to revive the music form. 'Film music overshadows the genre, but with the internet, non-film music can thrive again. The void left by Jagjit Singh and Pankaj Udhas is vast, but there's potential for ghazal to flourish even now,' says the singer. Papon adds, 'I now curate ghazal-only shows in large auditoriums and most of them are sold out. At Jashn-e-Rekhta, I performed for 13,000 people. My concert series, Shaam-e-Mehfil, has garnered tremendous interest. We're taking it slow—so far, I've mostly performed covers. Once my original ghazals are released, we'll have a robust playlist.' What's next? 'My upcoming film song is in Metro… In Dino, where I'll also appear as a band member and narrator. I also have a bank of singles—some collaborations—which I'll release monthly during and after my US trip.'
Time of India
29-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Time of India
Papon sings unreleased melody from ‘Metro In Dino', reflects on musical bond with Pritam
Picture Credit: Instagram Playback singer Papon , who is known for 'Bulleya', 'Jiyein Kyun', 'Moh Moh Ke Dhaage', recently performed an unreleased song at the launch of the track 'Zamaana Lage' from the upcoming film 'Metro In Dino' in Mumbai. The unreleased track hasn't been titled as yet given music composer Pritam's spontaneous process of making music. The unreleased track boasts heartfelt lyrics and a soulful melody. Papon even appears in the music video of 'Zamaana Lage' strumming guitar and singing along with Pritam. Speaking about his collaboration with Pritam on this project, Papon shared that he lost count of how many songs he sang and recorded for the film. This is not Pritam's first time making such a bouquet of music, as he has done it earlier with the Ranbir Kapoor and Katrina Kaif-starrer 'Jagga Jasoos'. Talking about working on the music of 'Metro In Dino', Papon told IANS, "We've been singing together for a long time, but this time, the emotion was more intertwined with the camera, especially with Pritam da. I've never shot so much in my life". He further mentioned, "Every day, the script kept changing. Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like [Click Here] - 2025 Top Trending Search - Local network access Esseps Learn More Undo I honestly don't even know how many songs we ended up recording, or which ones I sang! Pritam da would say, 'Every day, you have to sing a new song.' It felt like an experiment, a workshop, a space for fun and creativity. It's a beautiful process, a learning journey. And when you see it all come together, it's absolutely stunning". 'Metro In Dino' is directed by Anurag Basu and marks his another collaboration with his musical soulmate Pritam, a journey which started in 2006 with 'Gangster'. 'Metro In Dino' weaves together stories of love and human connections, and is set against the vibrant backdrop of urban life. The film features an ensemble cast including Aditya Roy Kapur, Sara Ali Khan, Anupam Kher , Konkona Sen Sharma, and Fatima Sana Shaikh. The film is set to release in cinemas on July 4, 2025. Check out our list of the latest Hindi , English , Tamil , Telugu , Malayalam , and Kannada movies . Don't miss our picks for the best Hindi movies , best Tamil movies, and best Telugu films .
