Bombay Experience by Alexandre Herer

Bombay Experience brings together the mathematical precision of Carnatic music and the vibrant energy of Indian hip-hop in a project featuring two artists from this country: B.C. Manjunath, a virtuoso of mridangam and konnakol, whose mastery ranges from classical Indian music to contemporary creations, and Manmeet Kaur, a pioneering rapper whose committed and introspective poetry, blending social criticism, the quest for self and ecological awareness, has changed the landscape of hip-hop in India. Through her lyrics, she questions capitalism, entrenched traditions and human contradictions, while celebrating the beauty of everyday life, sincere exchange and resilience.

The project was born out of French jazz composer Alexandre Herer's discovery of the thriving rap and beatbox scene in Mumbai's Dharavi district. At the same time, he met B.C. Manjunath during a masterclass in France, who revealed unexpected links between the mathematical motifs of Carnatic music and his own compositional approach. The exchanges initiated during a tour of India in 2023 were formalized in March 2024 during a residency and premiere as part of Grenoble's Détours de Babel festival.

Bombay Experience's repertoire transcends the simple mixing of aesthetics, offering a genuine dialogue between Indian classical traditions, contemporary hip-hop and jazz, creating a sound that is both deeply rooted and boldly innovative.

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