Recalling ‘Ganashilpi’ Khagen Mahanta on his 77th Birth Anniversary

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• Aug 17, 2022 | Poonam Nath

On the occasion of the birth anniversary of 'Ganashilpi' Khagen Mahanta, recalling him as his songs gave Assamese folk stories wings and will live on in our hearts forever.

Digital Desk: Khagen Mahanta, a well-known name in the Assamese music industry, is being remembered today on his 77th birthday. On this day in 1942, the man known as "Bihu Samrat" was born in Nagaon.

Khagen Mahanta, who comes from one of the most influential families in Assamese music, has been performing since he was 15 years old.

Khagen Mahanta was a member of the Harmony group, which popularised human values through music, and was an active participant in the 1960 language movement in Assam led by Bishnuprasad Rabha, Hemanga Biswas, and Jugal Das.

In 1961, AIR's Guwahati center broadcast Mahanta's first gramophone recorded song.

The 'BihuSamrat', along with his wife Archana Mahanta, a folk singer and actor whom he married in 1973, was well-known for popularising Bihu both within and outside of the state.

Among his timeless songs are Koi Jua Dakuwal, Khuj Kiyo Kabal, Ejar Phoola Dekhi, TejoreKamalapati, O Rahimala, Barakhunar Botorot, O Phool Rmak, Chokla TenatiAkoloi, and others.

Some of his honours and recognitions are as follows:

1988 Film Craft Award

Sangeet Natak Academy, 1992

1994 Shrimoy Award

Sangeetacharya, 1999

Angarag 'Papon' Mahanta, the son of the famous duo, has also gained popularity through his voice and a complete genre of modern Assamese music.

However, on the afternoon of June 12, 2014, the 'Ganashilpi' left for his heavenly abode.

On the occasion of his birth anniversary, Assam Chief Minister Sarbananda Sonowal took to Twitter to pay tribute to him.

This evening, Sonowal will dedicate the Ganashilpa Khagen Mahanta Udyan (Park) at Srimanta Sankardev Kalakshetra in Guwahati. The inauguration will be followed by a cultural event at the same location's Madhabdev International Auditorium.