Supriya Nagarajan: My top 10 musical moments

ACCLAIMED British artist Supriya Nagarajan recently added to her list of impressive achievements by being awarded the British Empire Medal (BEM) for services to music, in the King’s birthday honours list 2024.

The talented vocalist, musician, and founder of Dewsbury-based arts organisation, Manasamitra, is proud to be honoured. She said: “Through Manasamitra, I am honoured to be able to connect with so many people through arts, helping them to express themselves, experience different cultures, and transport people into a mindful space. Music and the arts have allowed me to follow my passion and help others to do the same.” 

Singing at the Royal Albert Hall: As a young child, I often listened to the gramophone record of iconic south Indian singer MS Subbulakshmi, singing live at the Royal Albert Hall in 1982. It had a profound impact on me. So, me being able to bring (music project) Lullaby Sonic Cradle to the venue in 2021, was a life-defining event and one that will remain with me.

Composing music for the Iceland Symphony Orchestra: Who would have thought that Carnatic music would form part of the repertoire for the national orchestra of Iceland? Taking the Lullaby project to schools across Reykjavik, and then composing two lullabies with the Iceland Symphony Orchestra, and performing at the iconic Harpa (concert hall) to a full house was wonderful. Not even the snow outside could keep the warmth of the evening away.

Royal honour: Receiving the British Empire Medal was an emotional moment for me. My musical journey was initiated by my mother and then supported by my husband. This felt like a high point in my musical journey. The credit goes to each and every person, who has helped me along the way. It’s something I will forever cherish.

Being part of Planet Summer: Climate change is really close to my current and future work. I created Meltwater about a day in the life of a halving glacier. To perform the piece as part of Planet Summer season at Purcell Room, Southbank Centre in London was a special moment.

Singing in the forest space

Composing Sita, Princess of Mithila during the pandemic: The lockdown was harsh on the music industry, but I took the opportunity to go back to my roots and explore the epic Ramayana in detail. I wanted to deconstruct the life of Sita and created a 60 minute story-telling musical that looked at the epic from her point of view. This work is ongoing and connects various aspects of my life. I am keen to explore it further. 

Composing Sita, Princess of Mithila during the pandemic: The lockdown was harsh on the music industry, but I took the opportunity to go back to my roots and explore the epic Ramayana in detail. I wanted to deconstruct the life of Sita and created a 60 minute story-telling musical that looked at the epic from her point of view. This work is ongoing and connects various aspects of my life. I am keen to explore it further. 

The cover image of the album Posse of Fireflies

Bright album: Collaborating with my favourite musician friends to release the album, Posse of Fireflies was special. This was a throwback to the many train journeys made across India as a child and watching the fireflies come to life in the night skies. It’s a project I am proud of.  

Perfect blend: The Sound Of Tea project was a tribute to both my favourite drink and a nod to my synaesthesia. I wanted to explore tea through sound. If we could smell, taste and see our cup of tea, how would it sound? I composed to Oolong, Darjeeling and Assam. The completely immersive show premiered at Kings Place theatre in London a week before lockdown.  

Nagarajan singing at the Jaipur Literature Festival

Singing at the Jaipur Literature Festival in Diggi Palace: The city of Jaipur is full of history and character, reminiscent of the bygone days of Maharajas. Singing to an audience of over 300 people in the morning sun at the Diggi Palace as part of the Zee Jaipur Lit-Fest was memorable. 

Blaze of glory: Last but not the least, my absolute favourite musical moment is sitting on a balcony, perched high in the hills on the Gold Coast in Australia, as part of a sabbatical last winter and watching a magnificent lightning show unfold. Dark skies, stunning electric blue lightning streaks and distant thunder inspired my new musical composition Blaze.