Skip to content
Search

Latest Stories

Seeing Savitri in a new musical light

Seeing Savitri in a new musical light

BRITISH composer, sound designer and writer Sarah Sayeed has shown off her immense musical talent across diverse live theatrical projects that includes for the Royal Shakespeare Company.

She has also performed at leading live venues and delivered immersive work that is imaginative, along with breaking new ground, including her latest work, which premieres at the Leeds Opera Festival on August 27. She has teamed up with awardwinning spoken word artist Jaspreet Kaur for a new piece of music which reimagines Holst’s epic opera of the Sanskrit tale, Savitri for 21st century audiences. This is the latest step in a creative journey for a multi-talented musician whose impressive range includes classical, contemporary jazz and urban.


Eastern Eye caught up with Sarah Sayeed to discuss her musical journey, latest work, creativity and inspirations.

What first connected you to music?

I was a dancing flower girl aged 11 in Samson and Delilah with Jose Carerras at The Royal Opera House. Jose was singing on stage, as I danced with a basket of flowers. I had no idea what he was singing, but felt an immediate and powerful connection to music and art. I looked around me on the huge stage and understood somewhere inside me that my journey would always involve music. Of course, I never knew I would go on to do the wonderful things I have done, but it isn't exactly a surprise either.

You are versatile, but which genre are you most closely connected to?

Soul music! Growing up in Ladbroke Grove it came out of record shops and people's homes and is the music I always return to.

Which of your works as a composer are closest to your heart?

A piece called Found for the Portfolio Composers commission with Sound and Music. It was a piece I wrote on the rollercoaster ride of expecting a child, and the ups and downs of motherhood. I wanted to capture that with the instruments, marimba, harp and tabla, played by the wonderful Kuljit Bhamra, who also was part of the commissioning panel. I had never composed with these instruments and was really blown away by what they could do together.

How do you approach any new project as a composer?

I let things unfold nowadays. I used to be very structured in the way I wrote and created, but as I matured as an artist, I think I spend time listening and connecting with others as a starting point. Any new project is rarely a solo undertaking, and I love to collaborate, so listening to others and musical ideas is always a good place to begin. That way I can start to imagine.

Tell us about your new project Savitri?

Savitri is a new work which is in response to Holst’s Savitri, commissioned by Northern Opera Group. Jaspreet and I were selected to work together on this as a way to create another musical and lyrical viewpoint on the story of Savitri and the original work.

What was the biggest challenge of putting this project together?

You want to be in a room together with the really talented musicians. This hasn't been as easily possible, which has been frustrating at times for me. But we have found ways around it.

Who are you hoping connects with it?

Those who are willing to listen and be open to a new perspective and to new musical ideas. This is a contemporary piece which Jaspreet and I hope will connect with some of the ideas in the chamber opera Savitri by Holst. The story is essentially taken from a Sanskrit epic and like many of Holst’s contemporaries, he was fascinated by concepts of maya/ illusion. We wanted to write a new work that encapsulated some of that concept of illusion but also the illusion and myth of Indian women.

What was it like working with Jaspreet Kaur?

Jaspreet is wonderful and a breath of fresh air. She has a very calming and reassuring energy and we really connected together on things. We were particularly interested in retelling the story of Savitri from a new lens, so that her character, legend, and myth was not merely left to be spoken for by male voices. I've loved working with Jaspreet and conversing on female identity, being a south Asian woman and the continued need for us to be seen and heard in the full spectrum of possibility and existence. (Laughs) You know, fairly light-hearted stuff!

How does this compare to other projects you have done?

This project has been a joy and come at a wonderful time. I have also been lucky to work with some incredible musicians, Clive Hunte, Freny Nina and Olivia Moore, all people I hugely respect and who make an important contribution to what is being created.

How do you feel about your work Savitri having its world premiere at the 2021 Leeds Opera Festival?

I am really excited to see this work being performed at Leeds Opera Festival.

Has the lockdown affected you creatively?

Working remotely has continued to be a challenge as Covid rampages through our lives. But there has also been a chance to condense ideas in different ways.

What can we expect next from you?

I am sound designing for a new theatrical version of Love N Stuff by Tanika Gupta, directed by Gitika Buttoo premiering at The Oldham Coliseum in the autumn. I also have a couple of other projects being discussed in the pipeline for 2022 and 2023.

If you could master something new in music, what would it be? 

Learning a percussive instrument to a better level of proficiency.

What are the sources of inspiration for your immersive music?

As well as my wonderful classical guru Swati Natekar, it is usually very small observations and influences that help with creativity. It could be something profound my five-year-old says at breakfast that helps me see the world in a new way, or the smell of flowers in the garden which gives me a sudden burst of creative energy. It comes from spontaneous places!

Sarah Sayeed and Jaspreet Kaur’s new response to Savitri will premiere on Friday, August 27, at Leeds Opera Festival.

Visit www.northernoperagroup.co.uk

More For You

Naga Chaitanya reacts to a fan saying he can’t act – Here’s what he had to say!

Naga Chaitanya and Sai Pallavi share a fun moment during their Thandel promotions, leaving fans entertained with their candid interactions

Instagram/chayakkineni

Naga Chaitanya reacts to a fan saying he can’t act – Here’s what he had to say!

Naga Chaitanya, known for his charm and candidness, recently found himself in the spotlight during a fun Q&A session with his Thandel co-star Sai Pallavi. The actor, who is gearing up for the release of his upcoming film, faced a cheeky question from a fan that left everyone laughing.

When Sai Pallavi read out a fan’s question, “Acting epudu nerchukuntav? (When will you learn acting?)” Chaitanya appeared stunned for a brief moment, staring blankly at the camera as if processing the unexpected question. He then responded with a mix of surprise and humour, Epudu nerchukuntav enti? (What do you mean, when will I learn?)”


Instead of getting defensive, the Thandelstar took it in stride and responded with a smile: "Honestly, acting is a continuous process. You never fully learn it; you keep growing with every project. If you think you’ve mastered it, that’s when you stop progressing. So, I’m still learning every single day."

While some appreciated his humility, others found the moment hilarious. Social media was soon buzzing with reactions, with many praising Chaitanya for handling the question with grace rather than taking offence. Some fans even tagged the person who originally asked the question, letting them know their comment had made its way to the actor.

This isn’t the first time Chaitanya has addressed criticism. In a recent interview, he opened up about dealing with trolls, admitting that while it bothered him early in his career, he has learnt to ignore the noise. “Clarifying things only leads to more drama. It’s a vicious cycle,” he said, adding that he now focuses on his work rather than responding to negativity.

Chaitanya’s upcoming film, Thandel, marks his third collaboration with director Chandoo Mondeti and his second pairing with Sai Pallavi after their hit film Love story. The survival drama, set to release on February 7, has already generated buzz, with fans eagerly waiting to see the duo’s chemistry on screen once again.

Having faced a mixed bag of box office results in recent years, Thandel is a crucial release for Chaitanya. Fans are eager to see if this film will mark a new chapter in his career and whether his continuous learning process pays off on the big screen.

'Buffy the Vampire Slayer' revival confirmed: Sarah Michelle Gellar returns for a new era

Sarah Michelle Gellar returns to the Buffyverse as a mentor in the upcoming revival of Buffy the Vampire Slayer

Getty Images

'Buffy the Vampire Slayer' revival confirmed: Sarah Michelle Gellar returns for a new era

Sarah Michelle Gellar has finally answered the call of Buffy the Vampire Slayer fans and it’s about time. After years of “will they, won’t they” rumours, she’s confirmed that a revival is officially happening. “I’ve always heard the fans,” she said, making it clear she wouldn’t come back unless it felt right. Now, with a fresh twist on the Slayer story and a killer creative team, the project is moving forward, and fans are already dusting off their stakes in excitement.

The idea for the revival started three years ago when producer Gail Berman set up what was supposed to be a quick coffee chat between Gellar and Oscar-winning director Chloé Zhao. What was meant to be 20 minutes turned into a four-hour conversation about Buffy’s legacy and why it still matters. At first, Gellar wasn’t sold on the idea, but as talks continued with Zhao and writers Nora and Lilla Zuckerman, she started to see the potential.

Keep ReadingShow less
Netflix raises UK subscription prices

Netflix raises UK subscription prices, leaving many users questioning its value

iStock

Netflix prices are rising again – Why it’s happening and the best budget-friendly alternatives!

Netflix subscribers in the UK will once again pay more as the streaming giant quietly rolls out its latest price hike. The updated pricing structure affects both new and existing users, following similar increases in the US and other countries. While Netflix continues to dominate the streaming market, the rising costs leave many wondering if the service still offers the best value for money.

New Netflix Prices in the UK

  • Standard Plan : Now costs £12.99 per month, an increase of £2.
  • Premium Plan : Increased by £1, now priced at £18.99 per month.
  • Ad-Supported Plan : Now costs £5.99, up by £1.
  • Extra Member Add-on : Increased from £4.99 to £5.99.
  • Ad-Supported Extra Member : Increased from £3.99 to £4.99.
The changes are already in effect for new users, while existing subscribers will see the higher fees in their next billing cycle. Netflix has assured that customers will receive an email notification before the price increase takes effect.



Why is Netflix Raising Prices Again?
Netflix says the price hike is necessary to invest in high-quality content. A spokesperson for the company stated, "As we continue to invest in programming and deliver more value for our members, we will occasionally ask them to pay a little more so that we can reinvest to further improve Netflix."

Keep ReadingShow less
After Squid Game S2, these K-dramas are set to take over the world

K-dramas continue to dominate global entertainment, with new hits on the horizon after the success of Squid Game

Instagram

After Squid Game S2, these K-dramas are set to take over the world

In a world where entertainment often feels like a revolving door of reboots and remakes, Korean dramas aka K-dramas have emerged as a breath of fresh air, in fact, irresistibly addictive air. What started as a regional fascination has now exploded into a global phenomenon, with shows like Squid Game and The Glory not just breaking records but boundaries as well. And now, in 2025, the highly anticipated Squid Game Season 3 is set to conclude the saga, with creator Hwang Dong-hyuk teasing a “crazy, crazy, crazy” finale.

But while Squid Game may have kicked open the doors, K-dramas have certainly wasted no time in breaking genre moulds, with new releases just proving the industry’s ability to just evolve and dominate.

Keep ReadingShow less
Ed Sheeran and AR Rahman’s 'Shape of You*Urvashi' performance at Chennai concert goes viral

Ed Sheeran and A.R. Rahman create magic on stage in Chennai, blending Shape of You with Urvashi Urvashi in a viral moment

Instagram/teddysphotos

Ed Sheeran and AR Rahman’s 'Shape of You*Urvashi' performance at Chennai concert goes viral

Ed Sheeran’s concert in Chennai turned into an unforgettable night when he surprised the crowd by bringing legendary composer A.R. Rahman on stage. The unexpected collaboration sent fans into a complete frenzy as the two global music icons merged Sheeran’s hit Shape of You with Rahman’s classic Urvashi Urvashi.

As Sheeran played the melody on his guitar, Rahman joined in with the iconic Urvashi chorus, creating an electrifying fusion of Western pop and Indian musical nostalgia. The energy in the crowd was charged, with fans singing along to the mashup. Despite some microphone issues affecting Rahman’s vocals, the iconic duo managed to keep the audience engaged. Sheeran then took over parts of the performance while the composer continued vocalizing Urvashi Urvashi.

Keep ReadingShow less