Sep 22, 2026 9:00pm IST
Papon On Making Ghazals Gen Z-Friendly: ‘I Wanted To Change The Sound, Words And Attitude Of Romance’ (EXCLUSIVE)
Ghazals have often been associated with older listeners, carrying a perception of belonging to a bygone era. Singer and composer Papon is actively reshaping this notion through his latest musical series, “Mehfilz with Papon.” By introducing modern elements to tracks like “Apne Khilaaf,” “Yaar Khafa,” and “Raaton Mein,” he is introducing the genre to a younger, Gen Z-dominated audience. Reflecting on this transition, he draws parallels to how previous icons modernized music in their own eras. “Every new generation has to be given a taste of what was earlier. When I was young, we got used to ghazals because Jagjit Singh changed the sound of it. He brought in guitars and modern instruments to make it relevant to the times. In that process, we went backward to find the original. I feel if I can be the bridge and bring the younger generations who do listen to good music, that is how I look at it,” Papon explains.
The challenge with traditional ghazals often lies in their linguistic and contextual detachment from contemporary living. “Most of the shayari is talking about terminology that is 300 years old. Certain words are not used in day-to-day life anymore. The idea was to change the sound, the words, and the attitude. The attitude toward romance has also changed. How love was expressed back then was very different from how love is shaping up in this generation in 2026.”
This transformation didn’t happen overnight. “It took me almost more than 10 years to put these ghazals together. Each one had a different shade of love, but in a very modern language, keeping most of the meter right. I introduced drums, saxophone and modern electric guitars,” he says. His journey with this modern approach began years ago. “I did a cover of ‘Ranjish Hi Sahi’ in 2013 on MTV Unplugged. That struck a chord because people appreciated the new approach. Wherever I went to college, college kids would say, ‘Can you sing a ghazal, bro?’ in their own language. That inspired me to release my originals.”
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The 18 to 80 Man
In his live performances and tours with Mehfilz, Papon reaches a rare demographic blend that transcends age brackets. “I have been given this tag that I am the ’18 to 80 man.’ Apparently, young 18-year-olds to 80-year-olds can sit down and enjoy my music. It is a blessing that people are saying that,” he shares.
Navigating AI and Independent Distribution
While technology continues to redefine music production globally, Papon maintains an open yet cautious approach toward artificial intelligence (AI). “I haven’t used AI so far to create music, but eventually, if I can use AI to create something that helps me bring a certain element to my music, then I would like to use it.”
When asked about the industry shift toward artists reclaiming control over their catalog and distribution, Papon reveals he has already taken the independent path. “I already distribute my own music. This whole series, the videos and distribution, I am doing it myself. There is no label in between.”
The Sacred Role of Lyrics
For Papon, poetic value remains the ultimate filter in his discography. “As a singer, my standard is not to sing a song the lyrics of which I don’t like, regardless of the production size. If I am not comfortable with the meaning of the song, I will not sing it. That is why I have less music in my repertoire. I need to be convinced by the lyrics, tune and production. This is my identity, and I am very proud of what I do.”
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