Vidya Liselotte Sundberg’s albums will be showcased at a special concert in Pune and Mumbai starting next month.
Vidya grew up in Sweden after being adopted from Pune at three. She became a jazz singer but later searched for her birth mother. A letter from her mother, given to her at age ten, guided this journey.
Her adoptive parents divorced, making her feel more alone. With help from her partner and son, Vidya traveled to India many times. At 39, she found her biological mother, learning about her past.
Sadly, Vidya lost both her mothers within four years. This pain pushed her deeper into music. Her heartache inspired the songs in her new albums, Papillon and Adi Shakti. These albums reflect her life story, which she will share during concerts in Pune and Mumbai.
After losing her biological mother, Vidya returned to Gavle, Sweden. During the pandemic, she focused on music. She learned her adoptive mother had cancer. She passed away a week after Papillon was released in 2022.
Vidya recalled a poem by Rumi that resonated with her during this tough time. She then traveled to London to work on her album, Adi Shakti, which came out in May.
Vidya believes her songs show who she is. She describes her music as “genre-free” and studied at the University of Gothenburg. Her first album, Peace Play, was well-received, and Papillon was nominated for an award.
Papillon is about her search for her biological mother and her grief after losing both mothers. In contrast, Adi Shakti focuses on living fully and offering comfort and healing.
Vidya is also performing a similar concert in Sweden this month. She will share her story alongside her songs, starting with five questions to engage the audience.
She looks forward to connecting with people in India who relate to her journey. Vidya hopes her music will speak to them, sharing lessons about adoption, loss, and motherhood.
Her goal is to help others cope with life’s challenges. Her lyrics express feelings of loneliness and the journey to healing. For Vidya, music is a powerful way to connect and share her experiences.