Uploaded June 2025 | Updated September 2026, 3 weeks ago
Presenting "Travel Light: Power. People. Pepper", a captivating Winter Solstice experience created in partnership by SAA-uk and Foxglove/Smeaton 300. This innovative live music commission marks the 300th anniversary of John Smeaton, a Leeds-born civil engineering pioneer who designed the iconic Eddystone Lighthouse.
Made possible by the PRS Foundation Talent Development Network, with generous support from PPL and Arts Council England, the project unites a diverse ensemble of musicians, poets, and sound and lighting designers under the visionary leadership of composer and music director Christella Litras.
Drawing inspiration from lighthouses and their pivotal role in global trade, the performance weaves together themes of power, people, hope, and the perilous journeys across sea and land. From Leeds to Plymouth, down Africa’s west coast, around the Cape of Good Hope, & up to India, the narrative reflects on spices, gems, gold, & the dark history of human trafficking.
Join us for an immersive journey, celebrating creativity and collaboration while honouring Smeaton’s legacy of innovation for the public good.
Concept and Artistic Direction by Keranjeet Kaur Virdee MBE.
Meet the Artists:
Christella Litras- Composer, Music Director, Arranger
Deepa Shakthi- Vocalist and co-composer – specialist in North and Sound Indian Music
Thandanani Emmanuel Gumede- Co-composer
Olivia Cuttill- Trumpet/Brass/ Clarinet/ Flute/Oboe player
Mohinder Singh (Mendi)- Tabla Player and Multi-percussionist
Temiloluwa Abiodun-Ade- Multi Percussionist and Instrumentalist
Rafael Onyett- Spanish Guitar
Michelle Scally Clarke- Poet and Spoken Word Artist
Rubina Warsi- Poet and Spoken Word Artist
Phenicia Williams- Background Soundscapes
Aniysa Alleyne- Projectionist
SAA-uk is a PRS Foundation Talent Development Network Partner supported by PPL.
Supported by Chapel FM, Foxglove/Smeaton 300 & Music House.
South Asian Arts-uk (SAA-uk) is a registered charity that was set up in 1997 by Ustad Dharambir Singh MBE to preserve the art of South Asian classical music and dance. The organisation was designed to pass down its love of the South Asian arts to the next generations through performances, community events and a complex education programme.
🙏Support us
→ https://www.saa-uk.org/keeping-arts-a...
🌎 Follow SAA-uk
→ saa-uk.org
→ https://www.facebook.com/SouthAsianAr...
→ https://www.instagram.com/southasiana...
→ twitter.com/southasianartuk
Show your support to freelance artists and our charitable cause through this difficult time. Please consider becoming a regular donor or making a one-off donation today though our website.
Presenting "Travel Light: Power. People. Pepper", a captivating Winter Solstice experience created in partnership by SAA-uk and Foxglove/Smeaton 300. This innovative live music commission marks the 300th anniversary of John Smeaton, a Leeds-born civil engineering pioneer who designed the iconic Eddystone Lighthouse.
Made possible by the PRS Foundation Talent Development Network, with generous support from PPL and Arts Council England, the project unites a diverse ensemble of musicians, poets, and sound and lighting designers under the visionary leadership of composer and music director Christella Litras.
Drawing inspiration from lighthouses and their pivotal role in global trade, the performance weaves together themes of power, people, hope, and the perilous journeys across sea and land. From Leeds to Plymouth, down Africa’s west coast, around the Cape of Good Hope, & up to India, the narrative reflects on spices, gems, gold, & the dark history of human trafficking.
Join us for an immersive journey, celebrating creativity and collaboration while honouring Smeaton’s legacy of innovation for the public good.
Concept and Artistic Direction by Keranjeet Kaur Virdee MBE.
Meet the Artists:
Christella Litras- Composer, Music Director, Arranger
Deepa Shakthi- Vocalist and co-composer – specialist in North and Sound Indian Music
Thandanani Emmanuel Gumede- Co-composer
Olivia Cuttill- Trumpet/Brass/ Clarinet/ Flute/Oboe player
Mohinder Singh (Mendi)- Tabla Player and Multi-percussionist
Temiloluwa Abiodun-Ade- Multi Percussionist and Instrumentalist
Rafael Onyett- Spanish Guitar
Michelle Scally Clarke- Poet and Spoken Word Artist
Rubina Warsi- Poet and Spoken Word Artist
Phenicia Williams- Background Soundscapes
Aniysa Alleyne- Projectionist
SAA-uk is a PRS Foundation Talent Development Network Partner supported by PPL.
Supported by Chapel FM, Foxglove/Smeaton 300 & Music House.
South Asian Arts-uk (SAA-uk) is a registered charity that was set up in 1997 by Ustad Dharambir Singh MBE to preserve the art of South Asian classical music and dance. The organisation was designed to pass down its love of the South Asian arts to the next generations through performances, community events and a complex education programme.
🙏Support us
→ https://www.saa-uk.org/keeping-arts-a...
🌎 Follow SAA-uk
→ saa-uk.org
→ https://www.facebook.com/SouthAsianAr...
→ https://www.instagram.com/southasiana...
→ twitter.com/southasianartuk
Show your support to freelance artists and our charitable cause through this difficult time. Please consider becoming a regular donor or making a one-off donation today though our website.
