Our community music group is much more than just a musical band: Soul’s Diet brings Sufism to stage
“Come, O Lord, you can come; waiting with anticipation, we sit ready, guarding the lanes with a vigilant eye so as not to lose our way in the maze of streets,” these lyrics echo from the lead vocalist of a band aptly named Soul’s Diet.
“Safar,” an event held in the serene surroundings of Yogamoreshala at Kansal, provided the group not only physical space but also a platform to appreciate and support community folk singers. These singers have undertaken the noble task of preserving the legacy of ancient folk tales and songs, bringing them right to our doorstep.
Soul’s Diet is the brainchild of Vikram, a young artist who, after working in the commercial space, felt a thirst for satisfying the soul’s need and encouraging lesser-known artists to inspire the youth. He also aims to remind others of Sufism, which is deeply rooted in thoughts, lyrics, and letting go.
Vikram describes the community music group as more than just a band—it’s a collective effort of like-minded individuals on a journey of self-realization. Their goal is to instill a moment of silence that has always existed within us. Vikram says, “Music has always been a medium to take us deep within. So, we have come up with different musical flavors like kirtan and Sufi, offering them as nourishment for the soul.”
Vikram is joined by five other young artists, including Gurdeep on the rabab and mandolin, an instrument rarely heard in the city. Other instruments in their ensemble include the dholak, flute, keyboard, and synthesizer.
The vocalist, casting a spell with melodic vocals, evokes the Sufi style of rendition. With eyes in sync with inner magic and fingers gracefully playing the harmonium, Sat Singh Nagar transports listeners to the mystical ambiance of Ajmer Sharif and Hazrat Nizammuddin Dargah, where the Sufi spirit dances to enchanting melodies.
The Yogamoreshala, a yoga studio run by Hugo (Hartaj), opens its space willingly to music, art, and theater. Hugo believes that yoga resides within and created YogAmoreShala to bring people together, offering tools to connect with the inner self and simplify life. The studio hosts various practices, including Yoga, Shamanic Breathwork Journey, Ecstatic Dance, Sound Healing, Drum Circle, Expression through Music, and Fitness Programs.
Vikram sums up their mission, saying, “We are providing nourishment for the soul. In an era of organic food, immunity boosters, and vaccines, the soul may be ready, and we offer the nourishment through Soul’s Diet and Yogamoreshala.”