Delhi Guitarist Who Became A Sufi Star Coming To Auckland

Sufi music, known for its deep spiritual and emotional impact, charms listeners in many ways. Some find a divine connection, others experience self-discovery, and many are simply entranced by its melodies.

The power of Sufi music lies not just in its melodies, but also in its evocative lyrics. One rising star in this enchanting realm is Sagar Bhatia from Delhi, whose journey to fame is a testament to talent and hard work.

His upcoming performance in Auckland on 29 September 2024 has generated much excitement among his followers, who eagerly await the chance to see him live.

Sagar Bhatia, who began his musical career as a guitarist at Jagrans in Delhi, has emerged as a prominent figure in India's music scene with his act, Sagar Wali Qawwali.

 Photos: sagarthesoul/Instagram

"The first song I sang was a Sufi song. I sing and compose all types of songs, but Sufi was my favorite genre…God was guiding me towards it," Sagar shared with The Indian Weekender.

Sagar's journey in the music industry is marked by significant milestones. 

His Bollywood debut, ‘Khudaya’, recently released in the Akshay Kumar-starrer movie 'Sarfira,' showcases his versatile craft. 

His journey took a pivotal turn in 2015 when he founded his company, Right Note. 

This platform has been instrumental in channelling his creative energies, resulting in covers of classic songs and original singles that have garnered millions of views on his YouTube channel, SagarBhatiaOfficial.

Photos: sagarthesoul/Instagram

Inspired by the legendary Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan for his compositions and Gurdas Maan for his performance style, Sagar has redefined Sufi music for modern audiences.

 His rise from a local musician to a global sensation underscores his exceptional skill.

"The purity of Sufi music and the depth of the lyrics is what touched me. When I started Sagar Wali Qawwali, I became Malang – that’s what touched my audience too," he explained.

Despite starting his musical journey at a young age, Sagar is largely self-taught. His music teacher first recognised his talent when he was just five years old, noticing his sense of rhythm as he played beats on his desk. 

By 14, Sagar was composing and singing his own songs.

 "I learned from everyone – my fellow musicians, singers, gurus who came into my life. My passion pushed me to master my art, and my hard work is what made me reach this point," Sagar revealed.

Bollysphere NZ, an event company owned by Himanshu Batra, is bringing Sagar's music to Auckland on 29 September 2024. Bollysphere NZ has hosted numerous comedy artists and singers from India, but this event holds special significance for Himanshu due to the widespread appeal of Sufi music.

Earlier in April 2024, Bollysphere NZ organised ‘Ibadat’ by Kartik Arora, a 25-year-old vocalist from New Delhi who has become a crowd favourite among Kiwi-Indians.

Expressing his excitement about the upcoming performance, Sagar said, "I am very excited to bring the purity of my music and my style of singing and performance to Auckland for the very first time. People all around the world are calling us wholeheartedly."

You can book your tickets here.