Cinemaazi remembers Archana Mahanta on her death anniversary

Archana Mahanta (18 March 1949-27 August 2020) the Assamese cultural icon had an immense contribution to the growth and popularity of lukogeet (folksong) and bihugeet. Born as Archana Das in 1949 to a family engaged in music and theatre, she was introduced to music even before she was enrolled in school. From a young age, she was trained in classical music. She sang in Assamese films from the early age of nine. She recorded the first Kamrupia lukogeet with HMV records in Calcutta called O Xundori Radhemai. After clearing the test held by AIR, she got a platform to perform on-air frequently. There she met Khagen Mahanta, popularly known as Bihu Samrat/King Of Bihu. The duo was a regular appearance on bihu stages after they got married in 1973. They had two children, the renowned singer Angarag Papon Mahanta and Khinkini Mahanta. She was a known voice for Assamese film songs and is credited with songs such as Rupahi kabane and Ei phool pah halise jalise in Meghmukti(1979), Tumi henu karuna sagar in Moyanajan (1979).