Pre-Concert Talk with Gurinder Mann

Crossover Music: A Global and Historical Phenomenon 

How the UK during the 1980s, 1990s and post 2000 has witnessed considerable crossover music that originated from India 

Born and raised in England, Gurinder grew up surrounded by UK Bhangra Bands, many of whom further fueled his innate passion for Punjabi culture. He completed his Bachelor’s degree at UBC, where he later returned to earn a Master’s degree in Asian Studies. He has a vast interest in romantic folktales (qisse) written in poetic form, and is particularly fascinated with the story of Hir Ranjha, on which he completed his thesis. Besides his excellence in Punjabi language, literature, and culture, Gurinder is highly knowledgeable in Hindi-Urdu language as well as South Asian Film, and has taught courses in those areas at UBC. A poet himself, Gurinder has recently published his book of Punjabi poems.