Sonam Kalra brings mystics to life
Sufism remains a bridge between the soul and the divine, carrying a historical weight of inclusion and hope through every melody. This tradition finds its strength in the belief that love remains the only true language, providing a space where differences dissolve into a single, soaring pulse of oneness.
At the LTG Auditorium in New Delhi, Sonam Kalra’s Ibadat — Songs of the Mystics brought this ancient spirit into the modern light. Her performance focused on surrender and divine connection, pulling from the verses of various mystics to weave a remaining warmth across the evening. Watching from the stalls, one sees a musician who treats each note with immense respect. Kalra, a member of the US Grammy Recording, sang with a raw devotion. She breathed hope into each verse, and the room stayed captured by her voice. Every shift in her tone signalled a deeper reach into the poetry. She chose each kalaam with an eye on history, yet her delivery made those centuries-old words feel urgent for our lives today.
Nikhil Soni, the Associate General Manager for the Shiv Nadar Foundation and HCL Group, introduced the evening with a focus on keeping classical traditions relevant. He spoke about the need for a space where Sufi music could connect with a younger crowd. The evening to ensure the essence of tradition remains accessible to new generations.
Kalra reflected on the night as a special moment of shared reflection. She aimed to build a space for equality. Seeing that emotion come alive in the audience was heartening. She viewed every performance as a journey of love. This kind of Ibadat stands as the moment we finally choose to surrender to that love. In the soft light of the end, our souls finally found their rest in each other.
