Papon (Angaraag Mahanta) is an Indian singer, composer, programmer, and pro… Read Full Bio ↴Papon (Angaraag Mahanta) is an Indian singer, composer, programmer, and producer born in Assam. He was introduced to music and its intricacies in his early childhood, being the son of Archana and Khagen Mahanta, two well-respected musicians of the region. Born in the environment of music and musical performances his initiation into music happened at an age when most people learn to talk or walk. Inspired by the wide array of sound that he has been exposed to from the traditional Vaishnavite devotional songs of Assam to new-age electronica, Papon's music is new and free- free in the sense that it cannot be confined by any genre and new to be identified with anything that already exists.

His initial training has been in Indian classical and traditional music (devotional and folk) from Assam a region in the north eastern corner of India, sharing its borders and culture with the very oriental - Bhutan, China, Myanmar and Bangladesh. Papon's boundary-free renditions have definite traces of pentatonic Mongoloid notes, the soul searing lyrical river songs, the rhythmic spring songs, the spiritual devotional songs, restrained Indian classical and the smooth-as-wine ghazals. His innovative experiments are rich with ambient electronica, acoustic folk, electro ghazals, new-age, Ind-classical sounds. Papon had released his first album 'Jonaaki Raati' in Assamese - the language he was born to and is working on his hindi album.

Jonaki
Papon Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

Haater muthoy kothin satar
Shahos pele e naagal Pabi
Payer niche matir chokh baar
Hmm buker paajor moner chabi
Boye chola nodi kono
Vorsha diye nei kono
Thameni dour ekhono
Thameni dour ekhono

Jonaki ekhon to jowlte baaki
Jonaki, jonaki, ekhon to jowlte baaki

Buker agunete lukiye lukiye
Ekhono agun pohash
Furiye jete jete tui abar keno
Abaro phire phire chas
Kichuta ghor kuno vetore icchera
Ghumre morche hazar
Surjo uthe gele se kotha kane kane
Moner ghum ke jaanas

Ohh. Mayar jeebon bondhu
Bujhbi ki tar chol chaturi
Kaday ba kokhono hasay

Ohh. Mayar jeebon bondhu
Bujhbi ki tar chol chaturi
Kaday ba kokhono hasay

Haater muthoy kothin satar
Shahos pele e naagal paabi
Payer niche matir chokh baar
Hmm buker paajor moner chabi
Boye chola nodi kono
Vorsha diye nei kono
Thameni dour ekhono
Thameni dour ekhono
Jonaki ekhon to jowlte baaki
Jonaki, jonaki, ekhon to jowlte baaki

Lyrics Powered by Rohit Roy™

Overall Meaning

The song "Jonaki" by Papon is a beautiful piece that captures the tranquility of a river, its endless flow, and the infinite desire of a heart. The opening verse talks about the difficulty of crossing a river, even if it is shallow. The river is a metaphor for the struggles of life, and the hardships that one encounters along the way. The line "payer niche matir chokh baar" (the eyes of the earth are under my feet) denotes the fleeting nature of life, and how easily it slips by.

The chorus, "Jonaki ekhon to jowlte baaki" (the firefly is still waiting to glow), is a symbolic representation of the human heart, which is yearning to be alive, and is waiting for its turn to shine like a firefly in the dark. The second verse talks about how the heart is still burning, even amidst the chaos and struggles of life. It is a reminder that no matter how tough life may get, the heart will still burn bright, with passion and desire.

The song is a beautiful portrayal of the human condition and the ways in which we navigate through the ups and downs of life. It speaks to the universal experience of love, loss, and desire, and captures the essence of what it means to be human.

Line by Line Meaning

Haater muthoy kothin satar
The bridge of hands is a strong barrier.

Shahos pele e naagal Pabi
Even if the king is caught, the cobra will not be caught.

Payer niche matir chokh baar
Eyes of clay under the feet.

Hmm buker paajor moner chabi
The key to the heart is hidden in the chest.

Boye chola nodi kono
The river flows without direction.

Vorsha diye nei kono
No one stops with rain.

Thameni dour ekhono
The distance is still far away.

Jonaki ekhon to jowlte baaki
The firefly still has to glow.

Jonaki, jonaki, ekhon to jowlte baaki
Firefly, firefly, still has to glow.

Buker agunete lukiye lukiye
Hiding in the fire of the heart.

Ekhono agun pohash
Still burning flames.