Grounded primarily in the verse of North Indian mystical poet Kabir, the ancient Bakti poetry of praise, Sabda sees the routines of life in India as the embodiments of Bakti philosophy, the fluid streams of images expressive of the interchangeability of all forms. Writes Reeves, "All of the imagery and sound were gathered on an extended trip through India in 1983. The synthesis of sound and image, with a strong subtext of written poetry, attempts to push through the world of events and appearances. The title refers to the word, the original sound of life."