Partition memories to be highlighted

Tribune News Service

Amritsar, August 14

For the first time the Partition Museum will commemorate the Sindh experience of Partition by highlighting stories and memories from Sindh. As the museum turns two on August 17, a curated cultural weekend will include Sindhi music, traditional food, the inauguration of a Sindh exhibition at the museum, panel discussions by noted Sindhi authors, poets, and artistes, performances, and talks.

Prominent figures of the Sindhi community, including actor Dalip Tahil, singer Kaajal Chandiramani, authors Saaz Aggarwal, Mohan Gehani, and Vimmi Sadarangani, along with experts on the Sindhi culture Maina Bhagat, Aruna Madnani, and Henna Kalro will be among the participants of the exhibition. A large number of Sindhis from across the country will be attending the two-day event, which is planned as a moment for the Sindhi community to get-together and share memories.

Food, like all other cultural aspects, is a central part of the intangible cultural heritage of Sindh. Traditional recipes have traveled with Sindhi families and have been passed down through generations. As part of the celebrations, Partition Museum has collaborated with Taj Swarna for a Sindhi food festival with classics like Sindhi kadhi that will feature in the Partition Remembrance Day festivities.

“We are honoured to partner with the Partition Museum for the Partition Remembrance Day. Food is an integral part of any memory and we are delighted to offer authentic delicacies of Sindh on this special occasion,” said Sumeet Taneja, general manager, Taj Swarna, Amritsar.

“We believe it is important to host this commemoration and to have a dedicated section in the museum because the Sindhi experience of Partition was very unique: as the entire province of Sindh went to Pakistan, Sindhis lost their homeland and had to migrate across India to find refuge and rebuild their livelihoods. It is a testament to the drive and entrepreneurial spirit of the Sindhi community, that within a few decades, they were able to rebuild their businesses and establish themselves once again. This weekend is a tribute- and we are grateful that Sindhis from across the country will be joining us in Amritsar,” said Mallika Ahluwalia, CEO of the Partition Museum.

Background of Partition Remembrance Day

With the support of hundreds of people, who donated their time, family objects, funds, and skills, the Partition Museum worked towards opening the entire museum in time to commemorate the 70th Anniversary of the Partition. The opening date for all 14 galleries was decided as August 17 to mark the day that the Radcliffe award was announced. On August 17, 2017, Chief Minister Amarinder Singh dedicated the Partition Museum to the nation.

It was marked as Partition Remembrance Day in tribute to the millions impacted.