Created by Ser Amantio di Nicolao
Last edited January 23, 2025

Lou Majaw
Lou Majaw wearing a light-coloured, sleeveless print t-shirt, playing acoustic guitar and singing into a microphone onstage
Majaw performing in 2011
Background information
Born1947
OriginShillong, Meghalaya, India
Genres
Occupation(s)Musician
Instruments
  • Guitar
  • vocals

Lou Majaw (born 1947) is an Indian musician from Shillong, Meghalaya, known for his Bob Dylan tribute shows.[1]

Born into a poor family, Majaw could not afford to own any musical instruments as a child. In a friend's house, he was introduced to the music of Bill Haley and Elvis Presley, and he taught himself to play guitar at school.[1] Majaw eventually moved to Kolkata, where he sang in bars and pubs for various groups, such as the Dynamite Boys, Vanguards, Supersound Factory, and Blood and Thunder.[1] Majaw discovered Bob Dylan's music in 1964 and nearly a decade later, in 1972, organized the first Dylan tribute concert in his hometown;[2] he has maintained the tradition every year since.[3]

On 24 October 2016, Majaw received the Bhupen Hazarika Award from the governor of Assam for his lifelong contribution to music.[4]

In 2023, a documentary film about Majaw's life, titled The Platinum Gong, was released. It was directed by Sattyakee D'com Bhuyan.[5]

In 2024, Majaw was awarded an honorary Doctor of Letters degree by the University of Science and Technology, Meghalaya.[6][7]

References[edit | edit source]

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 Biswas, Soutik (25 May 2006). "Homage to Bob Dylan – Indian style". BBC News.
  2. ↑ "Inside the Indian town obsessed with Bob Dylan". The Independent. Retrieved 10 August 2018.
  3. ↑ "Meet Lou Majaw, India's Bob Dylan". Hindustan Times. 23 May 2015. Retrieved 10 August 2018.
  4. ↑ "Lou Majaw presented 4th Bhupen Hazarika National Award". Eastern Feed. 24 October 2016.[dead link]
  5. ↑ "Celebrating the Showman". assamtribune.com. 3 March 2023. Retrieved 23 January 2025.
  6. ↑ "Hon. D.Litt. to Zubeen Garg and Lou Majaw at 10th USTM Convocation – USTM". Retrieved 27 August 2024.
  7. ↑ Time, Pratidin (27 August 2024). "USTM Holds 10th Convocation, Honors Zubeen Garg and Lou Majaw". Pratidin Time. Retrieved 27 August 2024.