Travel Light: A Musical and Spoken Word Collaboration

Travel Light is a unique musical and spoken word collaboration, led by composer and musical director Christella Litras, and directed by Keranjeet Kaur Virdee MBE, CEO and Artistic Director.

Creating this piece alongside such incredible artists was a joy. The team included:

• Temiloluwa Abiodun-Ade - Multi-percussionist and instrumentalist

• Rubina Warsi - Poet, spoken word artist, and Kashmiri poet

• Mohinder Singh - Tabla player and multi-percussionist

• Thandanani Gumede - South African vocalist

• Rafael Onyett - Bass guitarist and multi-percussionist

• Deepa Shakthi - Vocalist and composer

• Olivia Cuttill - Brass, clarinet, flute, and oboe player

• Phenica Williams - Vocalist and soundscape artist

• Mushana Aniysa Allenye - Projectionist

This new work was inspired by Abby Dixon of Foxglove and her vision of a lighthouse in Leeds, and the brought to fruition by Keranjeet, as well as the historical impact of John Smeaton, a Yorkshire man who built the renowned Eddystone Lighthouse. These lighthouses were pivotal in facilitating trade and ensuring safe passage.

Travel Light explores the interplay of light, darkness, and shadow over the sea, alongside humanity’s desires and ambitions. The piece touches on the trade of spices, the power dynamics it involved, and the enduring influence of these global exchanges on our cultures, including the darker history of human trade.

 I was the narrator, song writer and spoken word performer within the piece, and it was a joy and so moving to see and hear.

We performed this is Chapel FM and will be available to watch on YouTube on December 21st.

I will post a link nearer the time

We have also got the go ahead to record the Travel light to Album, and am so excited to get together again in February… travel light the journey is not over yet…..