This ye
ar, South Asian Heritage Month will be focusing on the theme of ‘Journeys of Empire’. This theme encompasses many different aspects of South Asian identity, not only in Britain, but other communities across the diaspora that were and continue to be influenced by the journeys of empire.
From empires such as the Mughal, the Duranni, the Vijayanagar and the British, from indentured labourers forced to travel to the Caribbean and East Asia, and other migrants who travelled by choice to Africa and beyond, to the journeys that families made to the UK with just £3 in their pockets, we have all been affected by the journeys of empire.
'Any discussion of the future is incomplete without a consideration of the past… As we try and chart a path into an unknown future, we should make sure not to leave our heritage behind, but to carry it forward with us in a manner that is compatible with the future we envision, and honours the rich cultural traditions from which that future emerged as well.' - Omar Gilani, artist of Pakistan
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Thursday 14th July: South Asian Heritage Month celebration event
To mark South Asian Heritage Month, St Mary's University hosted an event where colleagues from across the University came together to share and celebrate South Asian history, culture, and heritage. The event featured:
- A screening of Empire State of Mind followed by a panel discussion by staff from the REC Self-Assessment Team and BAME Network
- Live Indian Classical music by Santoor Maestro Ustad Kiranpal Singh and Divyanand Caird who specialises in performance of Saraswati Vina
- A selection of delicious food from across South Asia
*registration for this event has now closed
Monday 11th July: Transindia documentary screening and conversation with filmmaker Meera Darji
Transindia is a moving 30-minute documentary exploring the Transgender community (Hijras) in Gujarat, India. Many years ago, in India, Mughal Empire accepted Hijras in society; they earned a good sense of respect and were found in ancient Hindu scriptures. However, when the British colonised India in the 18th Century, the British Raj introduced a new law. Section 26 of The Criminal Tribes Act 1871 (Act XXVII) classified all Hijras as criminals, stating
‘Any Eunuch so registered who appears, dressed or ornamented like a woman, in a public street or place, or who dances or plays music, or any public exhibition, may be arrested without warrant, and shall be punished with imprisonment to two years, or with a fine, or with both.’
Transindia takes you on a journey through their eyes, capturing a real perspective on the Hijra community, portraying the ultimate truth on a forgotten and neglected community.
*registration for this event has now closed
The theme also reflects two major anniversaries taking place in 2022, click on the links below to explore more Journeys of Empire:
2022 marks 75 years since British India was divided into the Republic of India and the Islamic Republic of Pakistan: dividing up the provinces of Bengal and Punjab, displacing in over 1 million deaths and up to 20 million people displaced. Disputes in the region have continued over the last 75 years, including in Kashmir, Punjab, Assam, Pashtun tribal areas, Balochistan, and Ladakh to name just a few areas.
It is 50 years since President Idi Amin of Uganda ordered the expulsion of the country’s South Asian minority, giving them 90 days to leave. Over 27,000 came to the UK as refugees, 6,000 went to Canada, 4,500 to India and 2,500 to other countries in Africa and beyond, expanding the Ugandan Asian diaspora.
Acknowledgements
The marking of South Asian Heritage Month (SAHM) at St Mary's University is the result of a collaborative effort, with many colleagues from across the University giving up their spare time to contribute. I'd like to thank Zohal Siddiqui for all her time and expertise creating and co-curating the new South Asian Heritage Month homepage, with fantastic support from Meera Darji, as well as for work on the page highlighting the 2022 events.
I'd also like to thank Tally Kandola, Zohal Siddiqui, Mandhir Gill, Mel Healy, Mandeep Birk and Obi Oputa for the planning and delivery of the in-person event, and Lisa Panford and Meera Darji for helping to plan and deliver the on-line event. And an important thank you to Nic Santos in the catering department, Media Sheybani, Justyna Such, and Dan Weston in the IT department, and Gio MacDonald, who all worked so hard in the background to ensure the smooth delivery of both events.
Lastly, I'd like to thank all the colleagues who contributed their precious family stories and perspectives, helping to enrich our understanding of what South Asian heritage and culture means to them.
Shabana Marshall St Mary's University SAHM convenor