Remnants of the 1947 partition

Seven decades have passed since the Partition of 1947 and still remnants of it continue to linger only latently in public memories and histories. The exhibition at India International Centre (IIC), by The 1947 Partition Archive, will unravel the memories of people who witnessed the days of the Divide. This multimedia exhibit will highlight the socio–cultural ethnography and memory of the Partition by bringing forth those voices that have otherwise been unheard; the story of a woman still living in a refugee camp, separated from her daughter due to the man–made border, how two brothers converted to Islam to remain on their land while their sister made her way across to India, and how two brothers travelled from Travancore State to the North–West Frontier Province in search of work and were stranded there due to the Divide.

Each and every panel of this exhibit presents a unique first-hand experience and displays how the pivotal event that determined the subcontinent's contemporary history continues to influence society even today. These narratives are from all around the globe, with a special focus on subversive narratives through the lens of class, caste, and gender. The choice of regional locations is diverse and also brings to light the narratives of Partition that are often never considered as part of popular imaginary. This exhibition invites, for the very first, public audiences to engage with exemplary oral histories collected by The 1947 Partition Archive, over the last eight years. Curated by Aanchal Malhotra, it is an exhibition that marries the notions of history, memoir, longing and belonging.

'Remembering partition: unheard stories' is on view till September 8, everyday from 11 am to 7 pm at the Art Gallery, Kamaldevi Complex, IIC.