ATMA was founded in March 2020, during the height of the Covid pandemic, as a response to the deep need for connection and expression during a time of global uncertainty. The name ‘ATMA’ serves as both an acronym for the Alliance for Tradition in Musical Arts and a reference to the Sanskrit word for “soul.” The group’s mission is deeply rooted in honoring the legacy of Indian ragas while infusing them with fresh, passionate expressions that reflect both tradition and innovation. Through performance, ATMA explore the soul of musical traditions in collaboration with musicians from many cultures. ATMA is itself a model of social and artistic connections and understanding between diverse groups of people – South Indian and Western (jazz) musicians. Traditional South Indian music develops from steady drones and wild improvisation. During a performance, the pieces thicken and evolve to meet and elevate the energy of the evening.