Ultimate Breath
Supriya Nagarajan with Manasamitra
21 June | Time: 18:00 | Venue: Alder
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ABOUT THE SHOW
Ultimate Breath is a multidisciplinary music, movement and light performance that explores air, breath and migration - both environmental and human. Rooted in South Indian classical vocal practice and contemporary sound art, the work centres on the chant OM as a universal expression of breath, survival and continuity.
The performance takes place within an immersive environment inspired by the human lungs, using sound, movement and projection to trace how breath connects body, environment and identity.
Drawing on research into air pollution and respiratory health, Ultimate Breath reflects on how migration is shaped not only by borders and conflict, but by climate change, environmental degradation and unequal access to clean air.
LISTEN TO THE MUSIC
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Supriya Nagarajan is a UK-based composer, Carnatic vocalist, and the artistic director of Manasamitra, an arts organisation based in West Yorkshire. Originally from Mumbai, she transitioned from a successful 20-year career in banking and accounting to become a leading figure in British contemporary and cross-cultural music.
Her work is defined by a unique blend of South Indian classical traditions and Western contemporary styles. As a synesthete, Nagarajan experiences a sensory crossover where sounds trigger visual or taste sensations, a phenomenon that deeply informs her immersive compositions.
She has created several high-profile projects, including Lullaby: Sonic Cradle, which explores the science of lullabies, and Meltwater, a piece inspired by climate change. Her performances have graced prestigious venues such as the Royal Albert Hall and Southbank Centre, as well as unconventional spaces like the Yorkshire Sculpture Park.
In recognition of her contributions to the arts, she was awarded the British Empire Medal (BEM) in the 2024 King’s Birthday Honours. Today, she remains a vital voice in bridging cultural gaps through innovative, sensory-driven musical experiences.
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Duncan Chapman is a Lincolnshire-based composer, musician, and sound artist working across installation, performance, and collaborative projects. His practice explores immersive and spatial sound, with a focus on listening, place and connection. His work spans online and live performance, residencies, and international collaboration, including a residency at EMS in Stockholm, the curation of a concert for the Aural Diversity project, and performances (with Supriya Nagarajan) in India (Jaipur Literature Festival), Australia, Scandinavia, and across the UK, including at the WOMAD festival.
Current and recent projects include performances with Comb Filter and Humbox, an album of marimba and live electronic works (Three) with Simon Limbrick, and a duo album (Quiet Knot) with shakuhachi player Mike McInerney. His solo work appears on the Silent, Takuroku, re:Natura and Linear Obsessional labels. Other releases include Dusk Notes and Lullaby Live (with Supriya Nagarajan), as well as two tracks on the album All Her Geese Are Swans (Wenalt Star). Current projects include collaborations with Flash Co (Whitby), workshop projects with Music in the Round and Conductive Music and the development of a new piece with a SEND school in collaboration with Mahogany Opera.
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Isobel Mortimer is a distinguished UK-based clarinetist and educator known for her versatile approach to classical and contemporary performance. Based in Cumbria, she has established a significant presence in the British music scene through both her orchestral work and her commitment to innovative chamber music.
Mortimer is a founding member of SHOAL, an ensemble that blends musical improvisation with physical theatre, highlighting her interest in experimental and multidisciplinary performance. Her orchestral experience is extensive, having performed with groups such as the Northern Lusofonia and the World of Women Festival Orchestra. Her talent has brought her to some of the UK’s most prestigious stages, including the Royal Festival Hall in London and Bridgewater Hall in Manchester.
In addition to her performance career, Mortimer is a dedicated educator. she teaches for the Cumbria Music Service, helping to develop the next generation of woodwind players. Her contributions to the arts have been formally recognised through honours such as the Michael Hancock Bursary. Whether performing standard repertoire or pushing boundaries with improvised theatre, Mortimer remains a key figure in the regional and national musical landscape.
EVENT INFO
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£12 | £9 | £3
For more information about our ticketing approach, please visit:
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Doors Open: 18:00
Running Time: 18:00 - 21:00 -
This is a seated event.
Full Accessibility Information to be updated soon.
If you have any questions about your access needs in the meantime, please contact info@migrationmattersfestival.co.uk using the subject line ‘Accessibility at the festival’
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Age Guidance: 14+
Content Warning: There are no content warnings for this event
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Photography Credit: Elizabeth Baker