Sonam Kalra

Award winning singer-songwriter | Composer

Who am I

Multiple award winning singer-songwriter 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.


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. Traditional western gospels meld with Indian classical sounds, and Eastern spiritual texts are enriched by elements of western poetry to create a sound that touches every soul. The Sikh morning prayer blends into the lilting strains of Amazing Grace, Sufi saint Kabir Das’s words find resonance in the hymn Abide with Me, Punjabi Poet Baba Bulleh Shah’s voice is juxtaposed with Persian poetry and English and Gaelic texts flow into Amir Khusrau’s poetry while a Buddhist chant gently shares the stage with a Sufi Qata. Revealing that no matter what the language of the lyrics or the ethnicity of the sounds, there is but one language, the language of faith. And that, is the universal truth.


Sonam Kalra’s ability to flow seamlessly from one genre to another stems from her training in both Indian Classical and Western music traditions and. Sonam has learnt Hindustani Classical music from Smt. Shubha Mudgal and Pt. Sarathi Chatterjee and has also studied Gospel and Jazz with Ashley Clement in Singapore, as well as classical opera under the noted tenor, Hur Chul Young.

Sonam is known for her powerful yet sensitive voice and ability to blend styles, yet stay true to the music. Her singing reflects the special meaning it holds for her and she brings to it a raw truth that can move you from deep within, with a freshness and gaiety that are both invigorating and infectious. In addition to performing with her group of highly talented musicians, Sonam has collaborated with many musicians from different traditions, including gospel, Rajasthani folk, African and operatic tenors.


Sonam’s vast research into understanding Sufism and its true essence and her unique creative and contemporary interpretation of it has been greatly appreciated across the world. Owing to her versatility and unique perspective, Sonam is fast becoming a familiar voice at prestigious venues and festivals and has performed in 35 countries across Asia, Africa, Europe, the Middle East, Australia and North America.


Sonam was awarded the Inspiring Women Award, 2017 by WIN, a Norwegian Women’s organization. In 2016, Sonam was felicitated by the Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry as a 'Young Woman Achiever' for her work in the field of Music. In 2015 she was awarded by Femina, India’s leading women’s magazine, the L’Oréal Paris Femina 'Women Of Worth' Award for Music and Performing Arts. In 2014 Sonam was given the Devi Award by the New Indian Express - one of twenty exceptional women to be selected for 'Innovation and dynamism' in their respective fields. And in 2013 the Mail Today newspaper listed Sonam as one of “the 50 creative powerhouses & impresarios who have elevated Delhi from a cultural desert to one of the world’s leading arts capitals”. Elle magazine profiled Sonam in a list of “Transformers: Women Who Own the Future”.

Sonam has also been invited to share her work on Secularism through Music at various TED talks. 

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