Supporting artists to develop their practice is central to Sampad’s commitment to championing South Asian creativity in the UK. The Sampad Artist Bursary provides artists with time, resources and space to explore new ideas, experiment with their practice and develop work that might not otherwise be possible.
One of the recipients of the Sampad Start Bursary is Meera Joshi, a working-class, neurodiverse actor, theatre-maker and director from the East Midlands. Her work blends storytelling with advocacy, creating performances that centre underrepresented voices and lived experiences. Over the past year, the bursary has supported Meera in developing Immig-rant, a solo spoken-word live art project that explores identity, belonging and cultural reconnection through body art, stylised movement and music inspired by South Asian traditions.
We spoke with Meera about how the bursary shaped the development of the project, the creative risks it allowed her to take and what the experience has meant for her artistic journey.
How has receiving the Sampad Artist Bursary impacted your artistic journey over the past year?
Immig-rant had been in limbo after its development was halted by the pandemic. The bursary gave me the financial means to restart the project and bring together a creative team of Midlands-based South Asian artists that I had long wanted to collaborate with. It also allowed me to step into new roles as a playwright, producer and co-director, expanding my creative vision while building new professional networks.
In what ways did the bursary allow you to experiment or push your practice forward?
The bursary created space to experiment without the immediate pressure of performance outcomes.
I revisited spoken word, but also began working more intentionally with playwriting techniques, interrogating structure and narrative in new ways. I approached the project through a contemporary lens, asking how questions of belonging and identity resonate in a post-pandemic digital age where communities are increasingly disconnected.
Physically and sonically, I also pushed my practice beyond my comfort zone. Movement is not my primary discipline, but I collaborated closely with performers to explore new embodied languages for the piece. I also began developing an original score drawing on South Asian instruments alongside contemporary sound references.
Expanding into movement and sound has marked a significant evolution in how I tell stories and how the work might exist beyond text alone.
Has working on this project allowed you to reconnect with aspects of South Asian culture?
This project began years ago as part of my reclamation of a culture I once felt I had to shed in order to fit in. It has been a healing journey ever since.
Through this phase of development, I explored Indian folklore, dance and music, which have been woven into the heart of the piece. It is a journey towards owning who we are unapologetically. Stripping out identity should not be the cost of belonging, and that belief sits at the centre of the work.
Collaborating with other South Asian artists has strengthened that commitment. It has reinforced my desire to build sustainable creative networks and create space for collective voices rather than positioning the narrative as mine alone.
What do you hope audiences take away from the project?
I am drawn to non-traditional forms of storytelling that provoke and activate audiences. I don’t want people to sit passively – I want them to feel implicated, energised and reflective.
With the rise of far-right rhetoric and policy, I want people to feel hope and connection. I want audiences to tap into their own power and agency, to foster empathy and understanding for others. Only together can we push back against oppressive and divisive systems.
That is why I am excited to continue exploring immersive theatre and challenging the boundaries between performer and audience. In a digital age where people can become desensitised or disconnected, I believe we need to innovate and disrupt that detachment.
I hope audiences leave feeling more aware, more connected and more willing to question dominant narratives around belonging and identity.
What’s next for the project?
The research and development supported by Sampad laid the foundations for a movement-based structure and an original soundscape, while also clarifying the areas that require deeper exploration.
I am now applying for further funding to undertake a longer R&D phase. This will allow us to continue developing the movement vocabulary, refine the score and integrate immersive and visual elements alongside my writing.
The aim is to move towards a work-in-progress sharing and begin building partnerships for future production.
The bursary has given the project renewed momentum and strengthened my confidence in its trajectory. I am excited to see how it evolves and to continue building on the support and relationship established through Sampad.
Supporting Artist Development
The Sampad Artist Bursary is designed to create space for artists to experiment, collaborate and develop new ideas. Meera’s work on Immig-rant highlights the importance of providing artists with time and resources to explore ambitious projects that connect personal stories with wider social conversations.
Sampad looks forward to continuing to support South Asian artists as they develop new work and push creative boundaries.
