Soul Stirring

India has been a land of spirituality from ancient times. Yet a large number of urban Indians fail to connect with the country’s spiritual heritage to find peace and instead suffer the trials and tribulations of daily life. Chitra Roy,a singer of international repute with The Art of Living group,says existence decides the right time for the spiritual evolution of each individual. “Sometimes it may take decades or even lifetimes,and sometimes no time at all,” says Roy. Roy,who was in the city for a short visit,sang at the ‘Sumeru Sandhya’ organised at the Indradhanush Auditorium in Sector 5 to the delight of hundreds of devotees gathered there.

Roy,a musicologist,has learnt classical music since childhood but her study and practice “evolved” after she moved into the genre of spiritual music. “There is a lot of difference between my singing then and now,” says Roy,who has about 12 devotional albums to her credit. Among her most loved ones are her rendition of the ‘shabad’ of Guru Granth Sahib. In her forthcoming album to be released later this year,Roy sings the shlokas of the Bhagwad Gita in classical ragas.

Currently engaged in singing at bhajan satsangs around the world,Roy says she is thankful to be the instrument of divine joy among people.