Khagen Mahanta

Khagen Mahanta
Approx.12×12 inches
Acrylics on board papered with brown paper.
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This is my tiny tribute to the legendary Khagen Mahanta. He was a singer and composer of folk and traditional music of Assam. Known as the “King of Bihu”. His Bihu songs, Borgeet and other folk songs remain popular in Assam. The artist, along with his wife Archana Mahanta and son Angaraag Mahanta who is known as Papon- @paponmusic, represents one of the most influential families in Assamese music. He died on 12 June 2014.

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I had the opportunity to listen to Papon’s sublime music in person a couple of months ago and an opportunity to speak and interact with him as well. While we were talking at dinner he mentioned that he used to paint. That got me thinking and I wanted to show a token of just how much my husband and I appreciated his music that day. Especially the Assamese songs. Towards that end – I took the liberty of doing a small portrait of his father.
I am still to reach out to Papon. Hopefully one day this painting will find its way to him. Till then it lives in my studio 🙂
Here is wishing Papon even more success and I hope the memories of his parents live on forever.