The French flavour

Warm reception

As the largely bilingual gathering mixed and mingled in perfect rapport and harmony celebrating in true spirit Bonjour India — the festival of France. The star of the evening was undoubtedly Dobet Gnahore, the talented singer, dancer and percussionist from the Ivory Coast.

“This is my first visit to India and I am definitely coming back,” says the lass with stunning good looks. “I record my songs in different African languages and although I am now living in France for the past ten years I travel with my music all over the world. Music is truly an international language of friendship and expression,” she smiles as she introduces her young French husband, to the guests, adding, “we have a ten-year-old daughter, Maeva back home in France. When she was a baby she travelled with us everywhere but now that she is studying she is looked after by her grandmother and a nanny.”

Most people who were there could not stop talking about the superb concert they enjoyed earlier in the evening. “It was one of a kind experience. The music was unique and Dobet exhibited fantastic showmanship and stage presence. In fact, in person she looks so petite and almost fragile but on stage she exuded such tremendous energy she appears much larger than life,” said Maureen Kerleau, an appreciative member of the audience.

“The festival has really brought down such a a variety of talent that we would never get a chance to experience otherwise. It celebrated the cosmopolitan spirit of the city very effectively,” said Chander, a member of the Alliance Francaise.
One of the high points of the evening was when Dobet Gnahore broke into an impromptu song. The hauntingly beautiful notes washed over the gathering as everybody cheered the singer with an amazing voice, another feather in the cap of the Bonjour India Festival.