What religious tradition is this? Is it praying to another God?

Personally, I truly believe in oneness. That there is one God. And in my events I hope to introduce that principle of oneness through sacred sound.

This type of practice comes from India. So it is typically found as a devotional practice in Sikh and Hindu temples. When we sing here in America, the language that we use and phrases may greatly vary. Chant leaders may lead phrases in English, dialects from India, or in Sanskrit, the oldest language from the Indian subcontinent.

In Marla’s chanting events, she often shares mantras that are from Sanskrit and have been chanted for thousands of years. The words performed come from holy books called the vedas. The vedas are collections of writings of spiritual truths. In many ways, like when the intention of the sung words is “peace” there is a universal intention behind all of it.

In some cases when we use “Durga” or “Ganeśa” or “Kālī” we are calling upon forms of God that were expressed on Earth. This is similar to how saints in the Christian traditions were and continue to be connected to certain types of energy, people or things. Durga is a fierce mother form of God. Ganesa is an open hearted, obstacle clearer. Kālī will transform you for what’s best.

Both Hinduism and Sikhism are monotheistic religions so, from an Indian perspective, there is no conflict in singing to all versions of God/the Divine.