The hall came alive with Manmeet Kaur’s rap as French artist Flavien Martinel transformed music into a visual spectacle. Together, the two artists turned Alliance Française de Dhaka into a space where rhythm, colour and cultural exchange met, leaving the audience with a message that reached beyond art: be kinder to people, nature and the world around you.
The performance, titled ‘CITOPIR: An Audiovisual Rap Show’, took place on Friday at Auditorium Nouvelle Vague, marking the closing of Flavien’s solo exhibition, ‘Realms of Curiosity’.
Manmeet, a rapper from Punjab, India, performed released tracks alongside new compositions, while Flavien complemented the music with rap and live painting.
Their chemistry became particularly evident when they began rapping together. The duo also won over the audience with local cultural references and colloquial expressions they had picked up from Bangladeshis during their month-long stay in Dhaka.
Their playful incorporation of these discoveries added a personal touch to the performance.
The artists presented music videos dating from 2020 to the present, alongside documentaries they had made across India, Nepal, France and Bangladesh.
Their work often centres on underrepresented communities, using music, film and public art to draw attention to people whose stories are frequently overlooked.
Their collaborative project, ‘REVERSE’, brings together music, poetry, public art and participatory workshops.
During their residency, they also engaged local participants through workshops on eco-centric rap, sound-making, graffiti and three-dimensional lettering, encouraging them to experiment with everyday objects, natural materials and different forms of expression.
Speaking to TIMES, Manmeet offered a message for young people hoping to enter the rap scene: they should first learn humility, understand themselves and connect with their own communities before making music for others.
Flavien echoed her advice, saying emerging artists should not pursue rap simply to become famous. Instead, they should remain committed to their passion and the purpose behind their work.
Both artists hope to return to Bangladesh and explore collaborations with local musicians. Manmeet expressed interest in working with Bangladeshi music, while Flavien also wants to continue exploring the country’s soundscape. They particularly hope to visit the countryside and the Sundarbans, places they could not explore during this trip.
As their Dhaka residency draws to a close, the pair leave behind more than a performance: an invitation to create with purpose, respect communities and treat the environment with care.
