INTRODUCTION
This is a long time after we visited Assam when we brought Jyotishman Bordoloi, a very energetic young singer to you all. Our North Eastern States are scanned for talents by Gyanuji and thanks to him for an enormous support in finding talents from this region. Mahi is our very first female pick from the Great State of Assam.Indeed, she is the true representation of the state. She is going to tell all of us about a very unique music from a State that not many know much about. Moreover, Mahi has found great success in singing along with the most iconic male playback singer of modern Assam Zubeen Gaarg. She is an independent artist with a strong agenda as a professional singer who produces her own album and songs. Very collaborative singer who found this success through a lot of hard work and dedication alongside a very demanding dentist profession. Here is a small account of her music journey. Thanks to Mahi to co-write the descriptions here about folk songs of Assam.
Here are her Social media links, please visit her pages and follow her
https://www.facebook.com/mahidr.mahi
https://www.instagram.com/mahidrmahi/
About yourself (focus on music)
I am Mehjabin Prodhani aka Dr Mahi from Assam). A dentist doctor by profession but also a passionate professional singer who believes in healing self via music.
Musical journey
The best mentor who recognised the skill within me was my mother, at the age of 6 she discovered the flame within me. She being a stage performer herself during her college days who was unable to pursue her passion due to society constraints laid the foundation stone for my journey at the age of 6 years. Due to my medical studies there was a gap between me and my music, but I contribute a few stage shows in our medical college whenever I get time. Later year of 2019, when I realised my life is getting settled day by day, I planned to get back to music with full determination and focus. It was like a dream come true when I released my first official video song with none other than The Heart Throb of Assam “Sir Mr. Zubeen Garg”. It was a huge boost for me in my singing career. This experience was ultimate and because of which I started making my own album and video songs with my very best and supportive team.
Your earliest memories of your interactions with music as a child.
My passion for learning classical music was an interrupted journey since my father was a Govt. Employee and frequent transfers halted my journey within 3 years. However that didn’t stop me there from Performing on stage shows and competitions be it own school or interschool.
Who influenced you the most as a child as far as your music interests and talents?
My Mother. My mom used to sing some of the finest songs like “Piya bina basiya” from Abhiman always. I was only six years old and I was an ardent fan of her singing. Loved to follow what she sang to me. Although not fortunate to be living in a time where women freedom was more liberal, she used to sing on stages and also she was into acting. I inherited that talent from her. My dad is a good listener. Moreover, he supports music and arts and sees no differences in gender as far as talents. Both my parents give a lot of support as children to pursue whatever I need to do.
Classical music expertise
“About three years of classical training. My classical training got disrupted when my father’s job made us move frequently. I am still learning music and that process will never end.”
Classical music and its relevance in the current time
“Talent is a God given attribute, but having talent alone is not enough. Training your voice is very important. That is where the relevance of Classical music training helps. Nowadays, Rap Music, pop music and other genres are dominating the music world. But the truth is classical music is still important today. Classical music is important as it’s the foundation without which the structure is weak. It definitely polishes ones’ skills. The benefits of classical music are endless. Scientifically, it is proved that classical music boosts your intelligence and lowers stress levels. It is created in art form for enjoyment. People are more inclined towards the new form of music rather than classical which is the backbone of the music industry. Keeping classical music as base we can definitely take the current music level to new heights.”
What exactly does your music mean to you?
“In gist, for me it is a medium of stress buster, global connectivity, commitment, companionship, expression of my feelings and my solitude companion.”
Your views about the general landscape of India’s traditional music
“India is diversified when it comes to music. There many different genres as one may not see anywhere else, spanning from classical, folk, Rock to Pop Music. Indian classical music has this vast diversified look today. North Indian classical music is traditionally called Hindustani music and South Indian Classical music is traditionally called Carnatic music. This itself is very unique only to music of India. Our classical music is rooted in Vedic literature and ancient Natyashastra, texted in the classic language of Sanskrit. Our ragas comprises sawaras which beautifies melodic structure and taalas that relates to the time cycle of music. Raaga makes one able to form the melody of sounds at the same time Taals create the framework for improvisation using the time frame in maintaining the rhythm. In our Indian classical music it is very important to maintain the space between each and every note, it later lets you add concepts of harmony, modulation and chords.” A very mature musician who make her own music continued….
“As we see every region has its own unique folk songs. Since I belong to Assam I will speak here more about my state. It has its own beautiful folk culture as well. Assamese folk music consists of Bihu, Borgeet, & Goalporia Loko Geet. Bihu is the prime festival of Assam. Bihu Songs and dances are accompanied by very unique Assamese traditional instruments. Some major instruments are Drums (Dhol), Papa (made from buffalo horns) and Gogona. Assamese Bor Geet are composed by the spiritual legends Madhav Deva and Shrimanto Shankar Deva. Goalparia Loko Geet is a form of Folk music of Assam, sung in Goalparia language. It has its own beauty and traditional lyrics.”
“Although I belong to Assam I am a listener of other folk songs of India like Vadakkan Pattukal, the Thekkan Pattukal, the Kalyana Pattukal and the Mappila Pattukal of Kerala,Garba, of Gujarat, Doha Mahiya in Punjab, Sambalpuri and Lalita of Orissa, Janapada Geyalu of Telangana, Tamang Selo, Bahula, bhatiyali, Kirtan West of Bengal, etc.” During the interview Mahi was excited speaking about culturally Assam is similar to other states like West Bengal and Kerala.
World music and other language music of India.
“World music now needs a new definition because it includes all ethnic cultures and modern trends across the world. What I mean is right from tribal music to modern music is to be considered in that subject. Indian music differs from state to state and region to region but Indian music has only one language i.e. its culture and traditions.”
Social responsibility for an Artist, what do you think about it?
“I believe that being an artist, one should always respect other human beings and their sentiments.There is nothing more than being kind to others no matter how famous one can be. Keeping that in mind, we should always try hard to avoid those which abuse human beings, exploit and oppress. Music has only one language, i.e. spread the love for fellow human beings.” A life long experienced gave some valuable thoughts here.
If you are a socially responsible artist will you take a stand for issues that matter?
“Being a Doctor, issues pertaining to music and social health yes; my contribution is my services to this society.”
Do you think there is a gender discrimination or any such inequalities exist in the music industry?
“No, I don’t think so. Music is divine and connects souls. It has got nothing to do with gender.”
Do you pay attention to the lyrics and meaning of songs? Do you think they are important for music? If yes then why?
“Off Course. If you don’t connect with lyrics how can one do justice to a song? One can not just be scripted to perform a song. Singing without understanding the meaning is just like food without salt, tasteless and awful.”
What career ambitions you have in music. Then how are you planning to achieve it?
“Apart from Playback singing I wish to become a successful music composer. It is not yet there but it is a dream as well.”
Where do you see yourself five years from now in your music?
“A successful singer and music composer.”
Do you have a hobby other than singing, tell us about it.
“I love to Cook food and enjoy it with friends and family. Apart from that I am also very interested in social work, especially in helping others. My profession as a doctor, I do have a lot of opportunities to make this practical.”
Now it is time to list all your favourites in music (you may go with languages etc) Classical playback singers music directors etc. Assamese & Hindi Bollywood Songs. Favourite Singers & music directors are
Kavita Krishnamurthy, Anuradha Paudwaal, Zubeen Garg, Kishore Kumar, A. R. Rahman, Dr. Bhupen Hazarika and R.D. Burman.
Any sports that you like or play?
Badminton
Here are some of Maahi’s Youtube channel hits and other songs selected from Smule profile
Solos
https://www.smule.com/sing-recording/1311055932_3921275326
https://www.smule.com/sing-recording/1311055932_3920170919
https://www.smule.com/sing-recording/1311055932_3919947380
DUETS
https://www.smule.com/sing-recording/1805191267_3919379224
https://www.smule.com/sing-recording/1311055932_3658945062
https://www.smule.com/sing-recording/1311055932_3619105149
ENDNOTES
Dr. Mahi is a representation of changing India. She is independent and is a career woman with an ambition to also pursue a music career. Despite a lot of commitments in her busy life she had shown a focus and hard work and already achieved very high in her music career. She is humble and such a beautiful person to know we think that itself will take her long way. Her ambition matches with a huge talent and we wish her the best of everything in her music career. Here is a link to her music profile on Smule and do visit for more of her amazing singing.
