Kabir’s dohe and Rumi’s poetry resounding with Christian hymns defines the uniqueness of Delhi-based band Sonam Kalra & The Sufi Gospel Project. The band attempts to blend different voices of faith to create one voice with the use of song, music and spoken words.
Sonam Kalra, the lead vocalist of the band, says, “The idea for blending Sufi and gospel music came about when I was asked to sing gospel at the urz (birth celebration) of the Sufi saint Inayat Khan in Nizamuddin, Delhi in 2011. The thought of a Sikh girl singing Christian music in a seemingly Islamic space was so overwhelming for me and it made me realise that we are the ones who make the walls and we alone are the ones who can break them.
I had been singing gospel music for a year or so and the one thing almost everyone asked at the end of a concert was, why does a Sikh girl sing gospel or ‘Christian bhajans’ as someone referred to them. My answer was always the same — because God and faith have no religion. Sufism means an acceptance of all humanity, gospel — the truth. And that’s what this project is all about — acceptance of all truths,” says Sonam.
She found the musicians she would work with “almost organically” and says the message “resonated” with them all. “My keyboard player, Alex Fernandes, is Christian; Ahsan Ali who plays the sarangi and Amaan Ali who plays the tabla — are Muslim. My flautist Rajesh Prasanna and percussionist Tarit Pal are Hindus — a testament that when it comes to faith and music, religion is not relevant,” Sonam says.
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What kind of music do you like listening to?
I listen to rock, classical, jazz, Bollywood. Musically, I am inspired by Ustad Raes Khan Sahab, Abida Parveen, Zakir Hussain, John Mclaughlin and Ella Fitzgerald. Poetically, I take an inspiration from Rumi, Hafez, Leonard Cohen, Baba Bulleh Shah and Kabir.
Your dream collaboration?
There are so many wonderful musicians I would like to collaborate with. Royal Philharmonic Orchestra and a gospel choir like the Soweto Gospel Choir are some examples.
One music legend for whom you would like to perform a concert?
I performed recently for Sting and got to share the stage with Sir Bob Geldof, Pandit Viku Vinayak Ram and Abida Parveen — that was pretty incredible!
Best lyrics that you have ever come across?
That’s No Way to Say Goodbye by Leonard Cohen. And Faiz Ahmed Faiz’s Bol Ke Lab.
One song you keep revisiting?
Amazing Grace.
Tip for aspiring musicians?
Be true, don’t follow a fad, don’t imitate, be yourself and work hard to create fresh tunes.
One musician with whom you would like to sing a duet?
Arijit Singh.
Best sufi couplet that you have ever come across?
“Out beyond ideas of wrongdoing and right doing there is a field. I’ll meet you there,” by Rumi.
