About Us
Zofia Kumas, lead vocals & harmonium
Scot Dunlop, percussion & vocals
You will often hear us say that we are a “kirtan band.”
What is “kirtan”? It is a musical and spiritual gathering to sing mantras. It is music for the soul.
The mantras we sing are in Sanskrit, the language that comes to us from ancient India. Even apart from the meaning of the mantras, their sounds and rhythms have an uplifting effect on mind and heart. They steady and soothe the mind, express our deepest longings, connect us to something greater than ourselves, and enliven us with joy.
The melodies we perform are both traditional and original compositions. We arrange all our own music, offering our unique contribution to the World Music scene.
Our band name – SOULHUM – is a play on words. It is based on the Sanskrit mantra “so hum” which means “I am That.” It conveys the simplicity, depth, soulfulness and universality that we enjoy in our music.
We – Zofia and Scot – started playing and singing together in 2017, at monthly kirtan sessions hosted by a mutual friend at Wishingtree Yoga in Kanata, ON.
In 2018, we decided to bring kirtan to Chelsea, QC, where Zofia lives. That year, in December, we offered our first monthly kirtan at a local yoga studio and have continued ever since, live-streaming our kirtans from home throughout the pandemic.
We have also played kirtan and background music for yoga classes in yoga studios across Ottawa/Gatineau, as well as at various yoga/wellness festivals, including:
- City of OM (Ottawa, ON),
- Bhakti in the Woods (Ladysmith, QC),
- Surya Yoga Festival (Kemptville, ON),
- Yoga Fest Chelsea (Chelsea, QC), and
- Wakefield Wellness Festival (Wakefield, QC)