Soma was born Alida Maree Angela Giovannini and raised in Melbourne, Australia to Italian immigrants. In 1999, Alida was knighted as an honorary member of the Indonesian Royal Family and given the title Lady Ayu Soma Dharmapani of Pandji. Artist, designer and healer, she now focuses her passion in painting, her artwork is inspired by her experiences, travels, Buddhist themes and spirituality. Soma has painted all her life and has had private art training since the age of ten. She has undertaken a Diploma of Visual Art at RMIT University and has co-founded art classes under the King Pandji Sakti Foundation. She is currently also a regular lecturer in Design Studies and Life Drawing at RMIT University.

Soma has trained extensively for the past ten years under the guidance of H.E. Ratu Sri Acarya Vajra Kumara Pandji Pandita Pandji Sakti, Crown Prince of Bali, Incarnate Buddhist Lama and Holder of the Authentic Vajrayana Lineage in the Sakya Tradition of Bali, Indonesia. H.E. Ratu is a renowned Doctor of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Artist and Grand Master of the Martial Art Pancha Tanmantra. Prince Ratu teaches extensively throughout the world with centres in Australia, USA, England, Ireland and Indonesia.

Over the past ten years Soma has travelled extensively to Indonesia learning the ancient Healing Arts of the Sri Vijaya Buddhist Monastery and the Arts of Exotic Beauty and of the Royal Families of Indonesia and the Lineage of King Pandji Sakti. She has studied meditation techniques from various Buddhist and Hindu Masters as well as studying Balinese Culture and the Art of Yadna (Offerings). She is a Black Belt in the Martial Art of Pancha Tanmantra and studies the Arts of Samara Tantra and Traditional Balinese Trance Dancing. In addition, Soma has a Certificate in Oriental Therapy/Holistic Healing and Diploma of Aromatherapy. She has developed clientele in Australia for Aromatherapy treatments, relaxation massage and offers assistance in physical, personal and emotional difficulties.

As a fashion designer/consultant, Soma travels the world researching changing trends in colour, style and fabric direction, co-ordinating ranges for various clients and markets. For the past sixteen years she has designed and consulted for both Australian and International Fashion Companies. She has a Bachelor of Arts in Fashion and a Certificate in Desktop Publishing.

To date, Soma continues her study of the Ancient Royal Arts, Culture and Spirituality of Bali, Java and Lombok. Her aim in life is to share the teachings she has learned through her vision as an artist, designer and healer.