Papon reveals: I sent two or three versions of ‘Zamana Lage - Mood Shift’ to Pritam Da

Every once in a while, music is born not out of planning but of pure emotion, and Zamana Lage - Mood Shift (from Metro In Dino) is one such example. The song, sung by Pritam and Papon, with music by Pritam and lyrics by Qaisar Ul Jafri and Sandeep Shrivastava, is loved for its simplicity and soul. It was originally a spontaneous creation by singer-composer Papon that took shape through an inspiring exchange with Pritam. “I did a version of this song and felt I wanted to try something different,” Papon recalled. “So I sent two or three versions to Pritam Da. He called me and said, ‘This version is totally different!” At the time, Papon had only recorded it in a minimal setup. “I had just played the guitar and sent it to him,” he shared. “Usually, for a song, you add ornamentation; some tune, some instruments. But Pritam Da said, ‘This is really good, this should be released like this.’ I told him that I just played the guitar and sang it. So we should do this properly.’” That simple version, however, struck a chord with Pritam. “Pritam Da took his time to build on that moment. That’s his greatness — his openness and his madness to chase magic,” said Papon. “Pritam da instantly sensed that this was the sound, and he went all out to recreate that feeling. I loved this exchange between us - the singer and the composer; it was beautiful.” What began as a raw sketch between two artistes eventually evolved into one of the most heartfelt tracks of Metro In Dino. Zamana Lage - Mood Shift carries a subtle ghazal touch that beautifully complements Papon’s soulful voice.