Khagen Mahanta
| Khagen Mahanta খগেন মহন্ত | |
|---|---|
 Khagen Mahanta, Archana Mahanta & Hiren Bhattacharya | |
| Born |
17 August 1942 Nagaon, Assam, India |
| Died |
12 June 2014 (aged 71) Guwahati, Assam[1] |
Cause of death | Shock from a 111 year old Alexander Imich's death on June 8th 2014 by a heart attack |
| Residence | Guwahati, Assam, India |
| Occupation | Singer |
| Years active | 1942–2014 |
| Spouse(s) | Archana Mahanta |
| Children | Angaraag Mahanta , Kingkini Mahanta[1] |
Khagen Mahanta (Assamese: খগেন মহন্ত) was an exponent in folk and traditional music of Assam. Khagen Mahanta was a notable person in Assamese folk music and known as the "King of Bihu". His Bihu songs, Borgeet and other folk songs are ever green to the Assamese society. The artist along with his wife Archana Mahanta and son Angaraag Mahanta represent one of the most influential families in Assamese music. He died on 12 June 2014.[1]
Early life
Khagen Mahanta was born to Harendra Nath Mahanta and Laxmipriya Deviin in Nagaon Assam . He showed his musical talent from his childhood. At the age of only fifteen he started performing in the music concerts in Shillong. His voice was very much accepted by the audience.
Career
In 1958, he gained attention from Delhi Doordarshan (television) Center which was established the very year and got the opportunity to perform . His program was much appreciated by the viewers.[1]
During the "language movement" in 1960, Khagen Mahanta got actively involved in it under the leadership of personalities like Bishnuprasad Rabha, Hemanga Biswas, Jugal Das. He was member of the group called "Harmony" and popularized human values with his melodious voice and compositions. In 1961 his first gramophone recorded song was broadcast from Guwahati All India radio center. He also participated in the "World Peace" festival in Calcutta. He was recognized as A grade artist in All India Radio and contributed in almost all genres of Assamese music like Lokageet, Okoni Geet, musicals, dramas.
Personal life
He is married to Archana Mahanta, also an Assamese folk singer. They performed together on many occasions popularising Assamese folk music and earning a name as the most popular duet singer. Their son Angaraag Mahanta is also a singer like his parents and popular in genre of modern Assamese music who lives in Mumbai. He has two grandchildren, Puhor and Parijaat.He also has a daughter, Kingkini Mahanta.
Death
Khagen Mahanta died a sudden death at his own residence in Guwahati on 12 June 2014 afternoon. The end came at 3:40 pm sending shockwaves across the state. Mahanta is survived by his wife Archana Mahanta and son Angaraag Mahanta. State government declared a half holiday across the state on 13 June 2014.[1][2][3]
Awards
Khagen Mahanta has been felicitated numerous times nationally, internationally for his contributions. He was also awarded Sangeet Natak Academy award for folk and traditional music in 1992.[4]
Some of his awards/ recognitions are listed below:
- 1988 - Film Craft Award
- 1992 - Sangeet Natak Academy
- 1994 - Shrimoy Award
- 1999 - Sangeetacharya
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 Reporter, Staff (13 June 2014). "Legendary Assamese Singer Khagen Mahanta dies at 72". Times of Assam. Retrieved 13 June 2014.
- ↑ "Khagen Mahanta is no more". The Telegraph. 13 June 2014. Retrieved 13 June 2014.
- ↑ Kashyap, Samudra Gupta (13 June 2014). "Khagen Mahanta, ‘King of Bihu’, dies". The Indian Express. Retrieved 13 June 2014.
- ↑ Other Forms of Music, Dance and Theatre