Across cultures and centuries, mysticism has offered seekers a language to articulate the ineffable, love, devotion, surrender, and the yearning for transcendence. Within the Sufi tradition, poetry and music have served as gateways to inner reflection, dissolving boundaries between the self and the Divine, the individual and the collective. These traditions continue to resonate in contemporary times, offering audiences a space for contemplation, connection, and shared humanity.

Music has long been the vessel through which these mystical ideas are experienced, not only as philosophy, but as living, breathing emotion. Through verse, melody, and rhythm, Sufi poetry invites listeners into an inward journey, encouraging reflection on unity, compassion, and spiritual awakening.

Royal Opera House, Mumbai and Avid Learning present ‘Ibaadat – Songs of the Sacred: An Evening of Soulful Sufi Music’ by Singer-Composer Sonam Kalra. It is a deeply immersive concert that journeys into the heart of Sufi thought through poetry and music. Conceived as a contemplative and evocative performance, Ibaadat explores both well-known and lesser-known Sufi poets whose words speak of inclusion, oneness, and profound spirituality. Through her soul-stirring voice and nuanced interpretations, Sonam Kalra reflects on core Sufi ideas, love for the Divine, union with the Beloved, and the interconnectedness of all creation. The performance invites listeners into a shared space of introspection, spiritual resonance, and emotional upliftment. She will be accompanied on stage by a powerful ensemble of instrumentalists.

Sonam Kalra is no stranger to Avid Learning and the Royal Opera House, Mumbai. Her association with Avid Learning dates back to 2015, when she presented ‘The Many Voices of Faith: A Lecture-Performance’, offering insights into her pioneering project The Sufi Gospel Project and its unique synthesis of diverse spiritual traditions through music. More recently, in 2024, she appeared on the Royal Opera House stage for ‘Ebrahim Alkazi: Holding Time Captive’, reading extracts and celebrating the launch of Amal Allana’s book on her father. The Royal Opera House, Mumbai, with its storied legacy and architectural grandeur, continues to present a diverse spectrum of classical, contemporary, and cross-genre performances, bringing together leading artists and audiences from across the globe. As India’s only surviving opera house, it remains committed to celebrating traditional performing arts while fostering interdisciplinary and global cultural dialogues. Join us for an evocative evening that invites reflection, connection, and transcendence through the sacred language of poetry and music.

Details: 

Where: Royal Opera House, Mama Parmanand Marg, Mumbai

When: Sunday, 22nd February 2026, 7:00 pm - 8:30 pm

Tickets: www.bookmyshow.com  (Rs. 499 onwards)