Renowned Assam-born singer Papon, celebrated for soulful hits such as Bulleya, Jiyein Kyun, and Moh Moh Ke Dhaage, has marked a new milestone in his musical journey with his debut in Odia music. The romantic track, titled Kuni Kuni, showcases Papon’s signature emotive style in a fresh linguistic and cultural setting.

Composed by Bharat-Hitarth with lyrics penned by Sunil Parida, Kuni Kuni is a soft, melody-driven song that explores themes of love, longing, and tenderness. The track blends gentle musical arrangements with poetic lyrics, creating an intimate listening experience rooted in emotional expression.

Speaking about singing in Odia for the first time, Papon described the experience as both new and deeply enriching. Coming from Assam—where music is closely intertwined with emotion, storytelling, and cultural identity—he said adapting to the Odia language required careful attention to pronunciation, rhythm, and subtle cultural nuances.

“Odia has a gentle flow and emotional softness,” Papon shared, adding that these qualities helped him connect naturally with the song’s sentiment. He noted that understanding the dialect was essential to conveying romance in a way that felt honest and unforced.

Expressing his excitement at exploring a new linguistic space, the singer said the process allowed him to discover fresh emotional textures in his voice. He also extended gratitude to Odia listeners, hoping they would feel the warmth and sincerity poured into the song. “I hope Kuni Kuni becomes a song people make memories with,” he said.

With this release, Papon expands his repertoire to 11 languages. Over the years, he has sung in Assamese, Hindi, Bengali, Tamil, Marathi, Urdu, Mishing, Bodo, Tiwa, Punjabi—and now Odia—underscoring his versatility and commitment to embracing India’s diverse musical traditions.

Kuni Kuni not only marks a personal milestone for Papon but also reflects the growing cross-cultural exchange within Indian music, where voices transcend linguistic boundaries to connect through shared emotion.