The National Maritime Museum’s ‘Trade Routes’ project explored the history of three key commodities in the era of the East India Company which continue to influence our daily lives– tea, textiles and spices. These short films investigate our relationship with these items in the world today.

Following on from a project working with members of the Sehmi Day Centre in Plumstead, south-east London, here the Juttla family share their personal tea rituals and discuss how this popular commodity is a key feature of our daily lives.

With thanks to Mr and Mrs Juttla, their daughter Kiran Kumar and all the ladies of the Sehmi Day Centre for their work on this project. Thanks also to Rohini Malik Okon, creative writer on the project.

Directed by Seefood Media.

Students from Tower Hamlets College designed and produced the garments in response to the history of textile production. Their designs were sent to India to be made up by skilled artisans. They worked with textile designer Shazia Saleem, the Widening Participation programme at the University of the Arts, and the visual artist Maria Amidu. The film shown here is one of the results of the project.

With thanks to the student participants from Tower Hamlets College; Denise Clendenning, Head of Art at Tower Hamlets College; Jacqueline McManus, Head of Widening Participation Programmes at the University of the Arts; and student ambassador Lucie Libotte, MA Textile Futures, Central Saint Martin’s College of Art and Design.

Directed by Seefood Media.

Working with the self-styled ‘Spicy Girls’ from the Sehmi Day Centre in Plumstead, south-east London, this film is one of the results of the project and features the Juttla family. Mrs Juttla explains the importance of spices in Indian cooking and how they influence family life.

With thanks to Mr and Mrs Juttla, their daughter Kiran Kumar and all the ladies of the Sehmi Day Centre for their work on this project. Thanks also to Rohini Malik Okon, creative writer on the project.

Directed by Seefood Media.