‘I love Abida Parveenji’s voice, and the honesty with which she sings’
Singer-composer Sonam Kalra is happy with the response her latest composition has been getting. The song, titled Alfat, is based on sufi poet Baba Bulleh Shah’s poetry.
The singer believes in creating music with a message and has been doing it as part of her band Sonam Kalra & The Sufi Gospel Project.
Sonam explains that the latest song highlights an important truth. “Baba Bulleh Shah says, ‘my Guru has taught me a very important lesson — that my temple, my shrine, my church, and my mosque are not within the four walls of a building, but within the walls of my heart and the walls of the heart of the person next to me.’ And that love is the greatest religion of them all.”
Explaining the song further, she shares, “I chose this kalaam because not only does it have an inherently rhythmic refrain, but the message that it carries makes a statement that is so relevant and important; one that needs to be heard, especially in the context of the current global socio-political environment. We wanted it to have an all-inclusive sound that belonged to almost every part of the world.”
Talking about her band, Sonam explains that the idea is to “blend prayer, poetry, and music from different languages and religions, taking the many voices of faith to create one universal voice of faith”.
The same message of harmony and compassion can also be seen in Sonam’s actions. The singer has lent her support for issues ranging from child abuse, women’s rights, and animal rights, and helped raise money for cancer charities and education for children.
Her musical influences while growing up explain why Sonal loves this genre and brand of music.
“I love Abida Parveenji’s (sufi singer) voice and the absolute honesty with which she sings. I was fortunate to perform on the same stage with her at Muzaffar Ali Sahab’s Jahan-e-Khusrau World Sufi Music Festival. I also love Begum Akhtar (Hindustani classical singer) and Ella Fitzgerald (jazz singer),” she signs off.