“My name is Harjot Singh, I’m 19 years old and I’m from India. Currently I’m studying in Portugal in Escola Profissional de Odemira, in the course of Farming and Agriculture.”
We met Harjot through his younger sister, Arshpreet, with whom he lives in Brejão. We visited their home several times during the first year of the project. In the 2021 performance, Harjot and the rest of the family attended to watch Arshpreet dance and teach Punjabi to the audience.
“Last year I went to see the BOWING show and I liked it so much that I wanted to be in it. I wished it for a long time. Luckily, after a few times I got in contact with people from BOWING and was able to be part of it. “
In 2022, Harjot was part of a class at the Professional School of Odemira, to whom we provided sessions throughout the year. In conversation with him, we discovered that he enjoyed writing rap lyrics with his friends. For the BOWING BACK performance, we invited them to write and perform their lyrics accompanied by the band Chão Maior.
“Me and two friends performed a rap song that we wrote while sitting at the rehearsals. We practiced it with musicians of the cast and were able to perform it in front of the audience.”
Harjot, Bik, and Raj practiced their rap during rehearsals, and their enthusiasm and confidence grew each night. The rest of the cast applauded and danced inside the Odemira Market, encouraging them.
“I had an amazing time working with people in BOWING and had a lot if fun with my friends.”
In the performance, before they sang, the three young rappers sat in the ‘Comfort Zone’ around a carpet, sharing their personal stories with the audience about writing and rap. They explained the lyrics they would later sing in Punjabi for everyone.
“I have so many memories from the show but the one that I will never forget is the time when me and my friends were writing the rap lyrics and the first time we performed on stage. It was the start of something new that gave me motivation to work on my passion and confidence to be part of other activities.”
Harjot continues to write and dreams of publishing an album.
“They were some of the best days of my life. If I ever get the chance, I would love to be part of BOWING again.”
Photography by: João Mariano - 1000 Olhos