[3] Although Sohal wrote in the Western idiom, his extensive range of compositions shows a long-standing and serious commitment to the insights of Hindu philosophy.
[4] Sohal was largely self-educated, but was mentored for some time by the composer and teacher Jeremy Dale Roberts whom he held in high regard.
His larger works include The Wanderer for chorus, orchestra and baritone soloist which premiered at the BBC Proms in 1982;[5] From Gitanjali; Tandava Nritya; Lila, Hymn of Creation; Gautama Buddha, a ballet on the life of Buddha, performed in Houston, Texas and at the Edinburgh International Festival in 1989; Dhyan 1 for 'cello and orchestra; violin and viola concertos; two chamber operas, Madness Lit by Lightning, and Maya which he wrote in partnership with the librettist, Trevor Preston.
He was always concerned with the existential questions at the heart of Indian philosophy, and maintained an interest in the musical culture of the sub-continent.
For instance, The Divine Song, a piece for narrator and orchestra focuses on the central message of the Bhagavad Gita which concerns fulfilling one's responsibilities in the face of difficult choices.
He was working on an orchestral piece for the South Bank Centre in London when he died unexpectedly in 2018, on Vesak, the day that marks the birth, enlightenment and death of Buddha.
Artistes who have performed them include Jane Manning and Sally Silver, sopranos; David Wilson-Johnson, baritone; Xue Wei, violin; Barry Buy, double bass; Rivka Golani, viola; Rohan de Saram, cello; the ConTempo, Dante and Edinburgh quartets; the BBC Scottish Symphony Orchestra under Sir Andrew Davis, Indonesian pianist Ananda Sukarlan and the New York Philharmonic under Zubin Mehta.
In 1987, the composer was awarded a Padma Shri (Order of the Lotus) by the Indian government for his services to music.