Reminiscing ‘Ganashilpi’ Khagen Mahanta

A well-knownname in the history of Assamese music industry, Khagen Mahanta is being reminiscedtoday on his 77^th birth anniversary. Popularly known as the 'Bihu Samrat' was born on this day in1942 in Nagaon.

Representingone of the most influential families in Assamese music, Khagen Mahantashowcased his talent from an early age of 15.

An activeparticipant of the 1960 language movement in Assam under the guidance ofBishnuprasad Rabha, Hemanga Biswas and Jugal Das, Khagen Mahanta was a memberof Harmony group, which popularised human values with music.

Mahanta'sfirst gramophone recorded song was aired in AIR's Guwahati centre in 1961.

The 'BihuSamrat' along with his wife Archana Mahanta, a folk singer and actor whom hemarried in 1973, were famous for popularising Bihu in and outside the state.

Few of hisevergreen songs include Koi Jua Dakuwal,Khuj Kiyo Kabal, Ejar Phoola Dekhi, TejoreKamalapati, O Rahimala, Barakhunar Botorot, O Phool Rmak, Chokla TenatiAkoloi etc.

Some ofhis awards/ recognitions are listed below:

1988 –Film Craft Award

1992 –Sangeet Natak Academy

1994 –Shrimoy Award

1999 –Sangeetacharya

The famousduo's son Angarag 'Papon' Mahanta has also created his popularity with his voiceand a complete genre of modern Assamese music.

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

Today, on his birth anniversary, Assam chief Minister Sarbananda Sonowal took to Twitter to write a few lines in his memory.

Remembering 'Ganashilpi' Khagen Mahanta on his birth anniversary. His songs gave wings to Assamese folk stories and remain in our hearts forever. pic.twitter.com/OBLGbGwfsn

— Sarbananda Sonowal (@sarbanandsonwal) August 17, 2019

Sonowal is set to inaugurate the Ganashilpa Khagen Mahanta Udyan (Park) at Srimanta Sankardev Kalakshetra in Guwahati this evening. The inauguration will be followed by a cultural event at Madhabdev International Auditorium in the same premises.