Papon recalls the calming effect KK once had on him, says ‘I am in shock’

"I am still very emotional about the whole incident; I mean I am in shock, so I am sorry I think I can't really articulate what's going on in my mind," said Papon on KK's death.

Mumbai: Celebrated singer Papon recalled one of his early days when he performed an open act at a live gig for KK and how the late singer inspired the Assamese singing sensation to become a better artiste. Unspooling his recollections in an interview with IANS, Papon said: "I am still very emotional about the whole incident; I mean I am in shock, so I am sorry I think I can't really articulate what's going on in my mind."

And then the thoughts just came out in a torrent. "You know his voice was not just a wonderful voice we all admired, generation after generation, but there was something divine about it," Papon said. "You see, he was also performing yesterday, in front of so many fans, singing along ... that madness, that love from fans. For us artistes, the stage is like our home. Where there is a live audience, we just feel some magic in it."

He then recalled that early gig where he met KK. "I remember one of my earlier gigs, it was in a huge stadium," Papon said. "My band and I did the opening act and after us, KK was supposed to perform."

He continued: "I was young and very nervous ... I mean it was KK! It was after 'Pal', so obviously, we youngsters were very nervous. But backstage he and his band met us and he was so calm and composed, with his vivid smile! Pura tension chala gaya and we felt so comfortable around him.

"After our act, we sat in the audience and closely watched him live. I realised why KK is KK. I tried to imbibe some of his qualities, but he was a unique artiste, his voice, his personality had a healing touch!"