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Unbordered Memories : Sindhi Stories Of Partition
If Partition changed the lives of Sindhi Hindus who suffered the loss of home, language and culture, and felt unwanted in their new homeland, it also changed things for Sindhi Muslims. The Muslims had to grapple with a nation that had suddenly become unrecognizable and where they found themselves to be second-class citizens. Not used to the Urdu, the mosques and the new avatars of domination, they were bewildered by the new Islamic state of Pakistan. Sindh as a nation had simultaneously become elusive for both communities.
In Unbordered Memories we witness Sindhis from India and Pakistan making imaginative entries into each other’s worlds. Many stories in this volume testify to the Sindhi Muslims’ empathy for the world inhabited by the Hindus, and the Indian Sindhis’ solidarity with the turbulence experienced by Pakistani Sindhis. These writings from both sides of the border fiercely critique the abuse of human dignity in the name of religion and national borders. They mock the absurdity of containing subcontinental identities within the confines of nations and of equating nations with religions. And they continually generate a shared, unbordered space for all Sindhis— Hindus and Muslims.
In Unbordered Memories we witness Sindhis from India and Pakistan making imaginative entries into each other’s worlds. Many stories in this volume testify to the Sindhi Muslims’ empathy for the world inhabited by the Hindus, and the Indian Sindhis’ solidarity with the turbulence experienced by Pakistani Sindhis. These writings from both sides of the border fiercely critique the abuse of human dignity in the name of religion and national borders. They mock the absurdity of containing subcontinental identities within the confines of nations and of equating nations with religions. And they continually generate a shared, unbordered space for all Sindhis— Hindus and Muslims.
- GenresHistoryNonfictionIndia
200 pages, Paperback
First published August 15, 2009
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Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews
November 7, 2012
Absolutely loved this book. A must read for every Sindhi and non-Sindhis as well. Sindhis had been ignored during and post the partition and this gives you a glimpse of that time period through its many beautiful short stories. The humanity displayed in the book is heart-rending. The stories are written in such plain language, that one can read it out to their children as well.
October 5, 2020
For most of us, the common themes with India-Pakistan partition are nationalism, independence, politics, violence & religion. As per the tales of those who underwent the ordeal, it's abundantly clear how ghastly that strategic move with multi-layered political motives & inherent religious bigotry was. This book isn't a commentary on the people who did it & how they did it, rather Professor Rita Kothari has focussed on the voice of Sindh's people from both sides of the border, via their VERY interesting short stories. Her writing style is tremendous!
I had observed that my Sindhi paternal & maternal grandparents don't talk about the partition, perhaps due to the pain of having to leave their motherland behind, & having to settle into the unknown with nothing. That's true, but their plight is much more intricate. The stories narrated by Hindu & Muslim Sindhis (yes, both suffered!) have a variety of experiences, like how once cordial people started treating others not as humans, but as Hindu-Muslims. As if they are supposed, rather expected to be enemies! How difficult it is to live in fear, & to face senseless violence & loss of life & property due to certain political leaders' decisions. How much it pains one's heart to sell off their house for pennies where they played as a child in its verandah, seeped in warm sunlight coming in from the windows; & to see Sindh left poor & desolate. They preserved their culture in nostalgia & adapted to new societies, new faces with severe culture shocks. The stories also ordeal post-partition migrations, conversions, majoritarian-religious discriminations, thefts, betrayals, bureaucratic abyss & identity crisis. But they also show how people of both religions went over & beyond for each other to preserve humanity & love.
So many Friendships. Laughs. Tears. Gone...
Loved it! 4.3/5 🍀
I dedicate this review affectionately to my Dada-Dadi Lakhmi Chand & Savitri Devi Pamnani, & to my Nana-Nani Shouki Mal & (Late) Ganeshi Bai Jivnani. I love you. ❤️
I had observed that my Sindhi paternal & maternal grandparents don't talk about the partition, perhaps due to the pain of having to leave their motherland behind, & having to settle into the unknown with nothing. That's true, but their plight is much more intricate. The stories narrated by Hindu & Muslim Sindhis (yes, both suffered!) have a variety of experiences, like how once cordial people started treating others not as humans, but as Hindu-Muslims. As if they are supposed, rather expected to be enemies! How difficult it is to live in fear, & to face senseless violence & loss of life & property due to certain political leaders' decisions. How much it pains one's heart to sell off their house for pennies where they played as a child in its verandah, seeped in warm sunlight coming in from the windows; & to see Sindh left poor & desolate. They preserved their culture in nostalgia & adapted to new societies, new faces with severe culture shocks. The stories also ordeal post-partition migrations, conversions, majoritarian-religious discriminations, thefts, betrayals, bureaucratic abyss & identity crisis. But they also show how people of both religions went over & beyond for each other to preserve humanity & love.
So many Friendships. Laughs. Tears. Gone...
Loved it! 4.3/5 🍀
I dedicate this review affectionately to my Dada-Dadi Lakhmi Chand & Savitri Devi Pamnani, & to my Nana-Nani Shouki Mal & (Late) Ganeshi Bai Jivnani. I love you. ❤️
August 6, 2015
The story of partition is mainly covered from Punjab's perspective in sub-continent's literature. This collection of Sindhi short stories from both sides of border is quite comprehensive. It covers stories of those who left Sindh and who opt to live in post partition Sindh. It covers impact of partition on overall environment and psyche of people. The stories and memories of those who were children and from those who had passed almost all of their lives in Sindh. The stories where characters praised the locals for their support and stories where lack of such support was resented.
Over all a treat to read works of legends like Shaikh Ayaz, Naseem Kharl, Amar Jalil, Mohan Kalpna, Muhammad Ibrahim Joyo, Gobind Malhi, Narayn Bharti in one volume.
Over all a treat to read works of legends like Shaikh Ayaz, Naseem Kharl, Amar Jalil, Mohan Kalpna, Muhammad Ibrahim Joyo, Gobind Malhi, Narayn Bharti in one volume.
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March 21, 2021This book made me reflect on my roots. It is evident that Bengal and Punjab dominate the Partition narratives in literature and cinema but I personally feel that it’s important to mention the exodus of Sindhi Hindus and represent Sindhi refugee voices when speaking about the Partition.
My favourite story from this collection was Mohan Kalpana’s ‘In Exile’. But I also loved Gulzar Ahmed’s ‘Lost Nations’, Gordhan Bharti’s ‘Familiar Strangers’, ‘The Claim’ and ‘The Document’ by Narayan Bharti and ‘The Refugee’ by Gobind Malhi.
A big thank you to Rita Kothari Ma’am for translating and editing 'Unbordered Memories'. I thank you also for introducing me to Sindhi literature and giving me a glimpse of a pre- and post-Partition Sindh.
My favourite story from this collection was Mohan Kalpana’s ‘In Exile’. But I also loved Gulzar Ahmed’s ‘Lost Nations’, Gordhan Bharti’s ‘Familiar Strangers’, ‘The Claim’ and ‘The Document’ by Narayan Bharti and ‘The Refugee’ by Gobind Malhi.
A big thank you to Rita Kothari Ma’am for translating and editing 'Unbordered Memories'. I thank you also for introducing me to Sindhi literature and giving me a glimpse of a pre- and post-Partition Sindh.
July 17, 2021
I read this book for I found myself wanting to know more about Sindhi families and their experiences during partition. Although my curiosity lied only for Sindhi Hindus who came to India.. this book showed me that their experience can not be separated by borders. The experience of Sindhis that stayed back and Sindhi muslims that were integral part of their lives pre-partition was a very welcome surprise. I wish the book was not so short. All the essays in the book were unique and very well translated.
I especially enjoyed the words which were transliterated instead of translated. Every language have some unique expressions that cannot be carried to another language. Rita Kothari understands that and gives an honest peek into the original stories through such transliterations.
Overall, will recommend to anyone who wants to know more about Sindhi History and culture.
Few Highlights:
Perhaps of all Partition migrants the Sindhis have willed themselves to forget Partition most successfully.
A self-respecting entrepreneurial community turned itself from sharnathi (refugees) to purusharthi (hardworking people)
Shutting his eyes, he inhaled the fragrance, and said “I’ll never forget you. But, deewan, I have a request to make.” ‘Yes, Muhammad,’ I said. “When you reach India and recall the atrocities committed by Muslims, do please remember this poor Muhammad. Deewan, all human beings are not alike. All Muslims are not bad.’
Joharmal has left the whole of Sindh in Pakistan. Now he files a claim for Sindh.
As a community that, through proximity with Islam, had managed to shed the practice of untouchability, the Sindhis were subjected to discrimination in India.
How would you kill us? Dont you say that neighbourhood is the first family? You feed us with phirni on Id and visit us on thadri to eat lolas. Surely, that would make you think twice? And yet, if I had to die, I wont mind my death as long as you are the one killing me.
Khairuddin said to me that my oxen didnt understand his language although he had whacked them so hard that their skin peeled off. (…) my eyes fell upon the backs of my oxen marked now by brutal beating, and tears welled up in my eyes. It occured to me, that if without a language this is what happens to a beast, Allah only knows what happens to humans.
It is true that the Sindhi Hindus paid a heavier price by leaving their lands, homes, shops and all cultural referents behind in Sindh. At the same time, Partition also caused irrevocable changes in the lives if Sindhi muslims who willy-nilly found themselves second-class citizen in the new Islamic state of Pakistan.
I especially enjoyed the words which were transliterated instead of translated. Every language have some unique expressions that cannot be carried to another language. Rita Kothari understands that and gives an honest peek into the original stories through such transliterations.
Overall, will recommend to anyone who wants to know more about Sindhi History and culture.
Few Highlights:
Perhaps of all Partition migrants the Sindhis have willed themselves to forget Partition most successfully.
A self-respecting entrepreneurial community turned itself from sharnathi (refugees) to purusharthi (hardworking people)
Shutting his eyes, he inhaled the fragrance, and said “I’ll never forget you. But, deewan, I have a request to make.” ‘Yes, Muhammad,’ I said. “When you reach India and recall the atrocities committed by Muslims, do please remember this poor Muhammad. Deewan, all human beings are not alike. All Muslims are not bad.’
Joharmal has left the whole of Sindh in Pakistan. Now he files a claim for Sindh.
As a community that, through proximity with Islam, had managed to shed the practice of untouchability, the Sindhis were subjected to discrimination in India.
How would you kill us? Dont you say that neighbourhood is the first family? You feed us with phirni on Id and visit us on thadri to eat lolas. Surely, that would make you think twice? And yet, if I had to die, I wont mind my death as long as you are the one killing me.
Khairuddin said to me that my oxen didnt understand his language although he had whacked them so hard that their skin peeled off. (…) my eyes fell upon the backs of my oxen marked now by brutal beating, and tears welled up in my eyes. It occured to me, that if without a language this is what happens to a beast, Allah only knows what happens to humans.
It is true that the Sindhi Hindus paid a heavier price by leaving their lands, homes, shops and all cultural referents behind in Sindh. At the same time, Partition also caused irrevocable changes in the lives if Sindhi muslims who willy-nilly found themselves second-class citizen in the new Islamic state of Pakistan.
December 20, 2021
Heartrending, poignant and filled with a sense of incompleteness. The incompleteness is frustrating and painful while the narratives are filled with kindness, care and love.
Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews