This is their first trip to India but members of BBC Sound System, a band from Senegal, have seen many Bollywood films, love the sound of tabla and say Raj Kapoor is famous back home.
“My father was an African and the first film that he ever saw was an Indian film, which was based on Indira Gandhi. Indian films are very famous in Africa. I can’t remember the names but I too have seen many,” said Izm, a member of the band.
“Raj Kapoor is very famous in Senegal,” he said.
BBC Sound System performed in the capital at the Francophonie Week 2010, organised by the Alliance Francaise de Delhi, and are in the country for a 12-city tour.
“We are in India till the beginning of April and will be performing in 12 cities including Kolkata, Chennai, Mumbai and Mysore,” said Izm.
“When we are in Mumbai, we will try and meet some Bollywood actors and catch up on some Bollywood films too,” he added.
The band shot to fame with the release of its first album “Thioukouly” in 1998.
Their music is a fusion of traditional and modern African music played in the Jamaican style with texts in Wolof, Peulh, Mandingue, French and English languages.
The band is not very familiar with Indian music but they say the sound of tabla is what interests them.
“We have heard Indian traditional music but are not very well-versed with it, but we like the sounds of the tabla a lot. We often mix it with other sounds in our songs,” said Izm, whose other bandmates are two brothers – Mao and Kaou.
So, any plans of collaborating with any Indian artist on this trip for their future work?
“We are planning to come out with a new album and we would love to collaborate and bring some Indian influences in our songs. We are open to that and if we get an opportunity we will surely take it up,” he said.
Apart from Bollywood and Indian music, the members of BBC sound system are also very fond of Indian cuisine.
“We have tried Indian food before as well and we love it, especially curries and biryani. We are planning to gorge on as much Indian food as possible,” said Izm.
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