The Indo-French Reflection Group, whose official name is “Le Groupe de Réflexion Franco Indien” (GRFI) is not only familiar among Parisians but also with frequent travellers to the city. GRFI reflects the immigrant, multicultural nature of Paris. The musicians mostly amateurs, some near amateurs and a fewprofessionals come from Afghanistan, Argentina, Bangladesh, France, India, Sri Lanka and Germany.
Thirty years is a significant milestone, and for the past three decades, GRFI has been showcasing Indian culture on French soil with monthly conferences on themes like ancient and contemporary history, arts and literature, religion and philosophy and science and technology. An annual music event is organised as a lecture demonstration.
GRFI was founded and presided by Lalitha Badrinath who has been living in France since 1965. She has worked for several years in the field of special education for specially-abled individuals. She was also an elected Municipal Councillor for Social Affairs in Buc. She has received the French Govt. award of “Chevalier dans l’Ordre des Palmes Académiques” in February 2012.
For a person new to GRFI, the music practice sessions might seem like a day in parliament! Just like an MP trying to get the speakers attention, the members come up with many ideas that usually generate excitement and debate, and as they come closer to the annual day, they rise to higher levels and prepare themselves towards the final goal. Indian arts leads us to such goals for arts itself is spiritual in nature.
Since the beginning of 2020, the practice sessions were shackled due to the pandemic. It is interesting to note that the group had the resilience to adjust to the new normal situation. Planning, organisation and practice play a crucial part in determining the success or failure of a program. With the relentless support, guidance, and encouragement of Lalitha Badrinath, the musicians made the best use of technology with countless virtual practice sessions. She has always made efforts to inculcate discipline and quality.
Highlights of the 30th year celebration
To mark the 30th anniversary GRFI with a celebration of its past, present, and future, it dared to think big because of its heterogeneous culture. The celebration on 3October 2021 was held in the Maison de l’Inde, Cité Universitaire, Paris with its Director Rasika Sowmyalakshmi. It was a rare pleasure as the presentation focused on three strands of music: folk music, light music (film songs) and devotional music (classical). The very idea of such a new experiment characterises the evolution of the group since its beginning. It was startling to listen to the self-composed medleys accompanied by musicians who had taken special pains to produce harmonious music.
The pièce de resistance was a Sufi song sung by both the groups, north and south, with the complete orchestra (keyboard, guitar, tabla, veena, flute, mridangam). I feel proud to be a member of such a group!
The annual event was attended by the Ambassador of India in France, Jawed Ashraf, who made a remarkable congratulatory speech with a geopolitical content.