In a Divided World, Hyderabad’s Women-Led Secular Choir Is Singing a Different Tune

In a diverse city like Hyderabad, where cultures, languages and communities intersect every day, one choir is bringing people together through the universal language of music. Hyderabad Voices - the city's only secular choir, has grown into a vibrant musical group that welcomes people across various age groups, backgrounds and skill levels, proving that choral music is far more than just a performance art - it is a space for connection, belonging and community.

Founded by Ashrita D'Souza and Shakila Dausi, Hyderabad Voices was born out of a shared desire to create an inclusive platform for people who simply love singing. While D'Souza serves as the choir's conductor and also leads the Hyderabad Voices Junior Chorus for children aged between five and sixteen years, Dausi brings years of choir experience and a vision of building a welcoming musical space in the city.

The choir's upcoming concert, On Wings of Song, reflects its core philosophy: music's ability to transport people beyond the routines of everyday life. Named after a famous composition by popular German composer Felix Mendelssohn, the performance will feature a varied repertoire ranging from Broadway numbers and pop songs to African music and timeless classics.

"We are essentially a secular choir," says co-founder Shakila Dausi." Most people associate choral music with churches, but we sing across genres and languages. Our mission is to create a space where anyone passionate about music can come and sing together," she added.

What makes Hyderabad Voices stand out is its emphasis on inclusivity. The choir brings together teenagers, working professionals, senior citizens, trained musicians, and complete beginners under one roof.

Members range from their teens to their seventies, creating a rare multigenerational musical community.

According to conductor and co-founder Ashrita D'Souza, choral music remains relevant even in an era dominated by solo artists because it teaches values that are often missing in modern life.

"Our world is divided in many ways," she says. "Being part of a choir teaches collaboration, active listening, and interdependence. It gives people a sense of belonging and shared purpose."

The diversity within the choir also shapes its musical identity. While some members have formal musical training, many do not read music at all and that is the challenging part of performing in a choir. Yet they perform complex four-part harmonies involving sopranos, altos, tenors, and basses.

"The challenge is teaching difficult vocal parts to people who can't read music," Dausi explains. "But the rewarding part is watching them learn entirely by ear and perform together as one voice."

For the founders, the choir is about much more than just a performance. It is a community built on acceptance and mutual respect. As mentioned by the founders, members come from different religions, ethnicities, professions, age groups, and life experiences, united by a shared love – Music.

The choir is also notable for being completely women-led—something both founders consider an important part of its identity.

According to Ashrita D'Souza, Hyderabad Voices hope to further enrich the city's cultural landscape by incorporating more regional and vernacular music into its repertoire. This season, the choir is also expected to perform the National Anthem in a three-part harmony arrangement, a format not often heard in public performances.

When asked about one lasting message or an impact that the choir hopes to leave behind, founders gave a simple but powerful one.

"Music binds everyone together," says Dausi. "There's nothing more joyful than not just listening to music, but standing together and singing it," D'Souza added.

They hope that the choir could bring people together for their love of music and continues to inspire people from different age groups to “Sing”.

As Hyderabad continues to grow into a diverse metropolitan city, Hyderabad Voices offer a reminder that harmony is not just a musical concept-it can also be a medium of bringing people together.

This article is written by Divya Sharma, a student of Kristu Jayanti Deemed to be University, interning with Deccan Chronicle.