Oral history interview with Reena Kallat Interview by Harriet Morgan-Sham

Interview description by: Harriet Morgan-Shami

Interviewer asks about family history. Reena explains that her paternal grandfather was a sessional court judge and died when her father was very young. Her father remembers growing up in a large house in Lahore and his memories of the sessional court being held at the house, seeing criminals and police officers in the courtyard. [02:04] Recounts how her father was on the Indian side of the border during the Partition and explains that people had not fully realised how permanent the new borders were to become e.g. her father’s elder brother had stockpiled provisions in their home in Lahore but was soon told that it would be better for the family to leave for India. Explains her family’s resistance to talk about their memories with her despite her curiosity and desire to question her community’s prejudices. [04:02] Gives more detail about her father and uncle at the time of the Partition and how they were fully integrated with people of other faiths. Discusses her cousiuntie who was born just after the Partition and wonders if her persistent headaches were caused by the trauma experienced in utero. Briefly refers to the fear surrounding the protection of women’s honour. [06:20] Recounts the story of her uncle returning to Pakistan to recover family jewellery without informing anyone. Also of her father’s memories of watching refugees walking whilst sitting on the roof, basic defence tools and her aunt’s husband being killed. Concludes that it has been hard to get relatives to talk about these memories. [08:45] Tells of her family’s resettlement in Hoshiapur immediately after the Partition, their loss and the challenges experienced by her father and his brothers in gaining their education. Explains that the family was dispersed to different parts of India and that her Aunt ended up in Manchester. [10:26] Recounts the story of her Aunt’s husband’s violent death that may have happened around the time of the Partition, which ultimately led to her Aunt moving to Manchester. Her sketchy knowledge of dates leads her to emphasise the importance of recording this generation’s memories before it’s too late. [12:29] Interviewer asks if this desire to capture memories has informed Reena’s artistic practice. Refers to childhood experiences that she now realises were linked to an interest in pre-Partition life, as well as her friendships with artists across the border. Identifies her experience of living in Mumbai with its intercommunal tensions as being a key influencer of her creative practice and the legacy of Partition. Describes the positive interpersonal experiences of Indians travelling to Pakistan. Talks about psychological and social barriers present in contemporary Mumbai society e.g. referring to non-Muslim areas as “clean”. Calls for a greater self-awareness and responsibility of individuals in the political choices they make. [17:35] Interviewer asks Reena to reflect on the legacy of Partition and its impact on an international understanding of both her as an individual and an Indian. Reena concludes that the Partition seems to have a legacy confined to only those who were directly affected. Talks about the relative lack of awareness of what happened even in the southern states of India. Believes that there is a growing understanding and that the Partition has global resonance with events such as the current refugee crisis and the war in Bangladesh in 1971, and emphasises the need for us to focus on our commonalities. [20:40 end of interview]