Singer-songwriter Papon is getting a lot of praise for his work on the Metro In Dino soundtrack, where he mixed classic ghazal sounds with a modern vibe. The popularity of songs like “Qayde Se,” “Yaad,” and “Zamana Lage – Mood Shift” has shown that his years-long attempt to modernize the genre has worked, and it has given him new energy for his next ghazal album.
A Love for Ghazals That Goes Deep
Papon, 49, thanked everyone for their support and said, “I didn’t expect so many people to connect with these songs so deeply.” He thinks the reception shows that there is still a big audience for this style of music. The songs, penned by Sayeed Quadri and arranged by Pritam, are unique because of how deep the lyrics are and how Papon gives each line a quiet intensity that ghazal aficionados know and love.
This is not a new musical direction for Papon, who was born in Assam. It is only a continuance of his love for the genre. He said that ghazals have always been a part of his artistic journey, and they are a place “where words and silence meet.” Papon said that one of the songs, “Zamana Lage – Mood Shift,” was not initially a ghazal. They had to change it totally to give it the “depth and stillness that ghazals need.”
From the Stage to the Mainstream: Ghazals
Papon has been gaining a live audience for his ghazals with his “Shaam-E-Mehfil” concert series and appearances at places like Jashn-e-Rekhta, in addition to his work in Bollywood. The success of the Metro In Dino soundtrack, on the other hand, has made people even more excited for his next ghazal album, which he has been “slowly and lovingly building.”
“Seeing them connect through a mainstream movie is very special,” he remarked. “It also makes me want to put my heart and soul into my next ghazal album even more… There’s no hurry; I just want to make something real and lasting.