The Sufi Gospel Project Divine music

There are endless possibilities to the world of music. One such experiment, the zanily titled “Sufi Gospel Project”, which was staged recently, was a resounding success with the Delhi audience. The brainchild of young vocalist Sonam Kalra, the effort was to create a confluence of faiths through the mediums of song, music and poetry.
Sufi poetry by mystics such as Kabir, Rumi, Amir Khusrau and Rabia fused effortlessly with traditional gospel music and hymns. If the Gandhi favourite “Abide with Me” was interspersed with Kabir's poetry, “Amazing Grace” was sung in the Sufi style. Traditional Irish hymns went side by side with contemporary music of Ray Charles and Leonard Cohen. The effect was truly transfixing and it showed in the hush that descended over the audience when the music was contemplative and moving or the accompanying clapping with joyous gospel songs.
Sonam's powerful and versatile vocals were accompanied by some extraordinary instrumental music -- the first among the equals was highly talented sarangi player and vocalist Ahsan Ali Khan who was the perfect foil to Sonam, brilliant percussionist Suchet Malhotra did some interesting experimentation with a variety of instruments such as the Tibetan horn. Tabla player Amaan Ali Khan was a perfect match for Malhotra. Rajesh Prasanna's mastery over the flute was truly amazing, while pianist Alex Fernandes and guitarist Daniel Paul mesmerised the audience too.
Explaining the genesis of “The Sufi Gospel Project”, Sonam revealed that the idea was conceived when she was asked to sing gospel music to commemorate the birth centenary of Sufi saint Hazrat Inayat Khan at the famous Inayat Khan Dargah located in the Nizamuddin locality of New Delhi. This was a year ago but ever since The Sufi Gospel made its formal debut in May this year, there has been no looking back.
The group has performed several times over at locales ranging from the French Embassy for the launch of the Festival of India in France to former Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi's Samadhi on his birth anniversary in the presence of the President, Vice-President, Prime Minister and the Union Cabinet. The talented vocalists and musicians will now stage concerts in Delhi, Mumbai and Neemrana Fort in Rajasthan.
The Sufi Gospel Project has earned rave reviews wherever it has performed. Just goes to show that even on our chaotic planet, humanity still craves for peace and harmony.