Sonam Kalra - Speaker Profile
In a life marked by grief and tested faith, Sonam Kalra chooses to rise above racial and religious divides.
Multiple award winning singer and composer Sonam Kalra is that rare breed of musician who has been trained in both Indian and Western traditions of music and is equally adept at both. She has a beautiful, powerful voice with an honesty and sensitivity that is rare.
Sonam’s unique brainchild, ‘Sonam Kalra & The Sufi Gospel Project’ which blends the many voices of faith, through poetry, prayer and music to create one universal voice of faith, has earned her international critical acclaim. The Delhi-born Sikh-raised Kalra draws on both Indian and Western musical traditions as part of her Sufi Gospel Project.
'Sufism means an acceptance of all humanity—to be equal. It's not specifically a religion. It's a way of life, and a path,' she says.
'The Sufi Gospel Project is an attempt to take the many voices of faith from different genres, languages and religions and try and create one universal, unified voice of faith.'
Sonam has been recognised and appreciated for her extraordinary and all inclusive definition of Sufism and her message of Peace and Oneness has made her a popular voice at prestigious festivals and venues around the world. Sonam has shared the stage with legendary musicians like Sir Bob Geldof and Sufi Legend Abida Parveen. She has also performed for MTV Coke Studio and at the very Prestigious SYDNEY OPERA HOUSE where she received a standing ovation. Sonam has performed in over 28 countries across the world including London, Sri Lanka, Singapore, Pakistan, Oman, Dubai, Kuwait, Lebanon, Algeria, Tunisia, Egypt, Hong Kong, Thailand, Mauritius, Canada, Rome, South Africa and The USA.
She has also performed at the very prestigious Women in the World Summit organised by Media legend Tina Brown, One Billion Rising, The World Sufi Peace Festival at the Pyramids, The Jaipur Literature Festival, RIFF and The World Sufi Spirit Festival in Jodhpur, the International Faiz Festival for peace in Pakistan and at the The Indo African Summit for The Indian Prime Minister, President of India and 52 heads of African States.
She has been felicitated for her work in music with many awards including the Femina Woman of Worth award, the Indian express Devi award and the Global WIN award for inspiring women worldwide and has been invited to share her music and work on Secularism through Music at various TED talks and WIN conferences Globally.
'If we would listen carefully, we might realise that we're all saying the same thing, we're just saying it in different ways.' - Sonam Kalra