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.