Myself and the brilliant participants from Southall Community Alliance
I have recently taken part in a new research project funded by the Arts and Humanities Research Council exploring the memories, experiences and relationship to India of first-generation South Asian individuals in Southall, West London.
The project aims to produce a long-term, sustainable network between India and Indian diasporic communities in the UK and to influence public understanding of how Indian cultural heritage is represented and perceived through performance.
I was invited to screen my recent short documentary ‘Home Is’ because of its striking resemblance to the project aims. In ‘Home Is’ we see a community struggle to maintain and pass on traditions, the tensions between the generations and the long term impact of forced migration through acting and performance.
This screening triggered a very fruitful conversation with Southall community members about the thorny issue of identity, where home really is and the role performance can play in resolving these questions.
Follow the link below to find out more about our discussion and the project, brilliantly facilitated by Mahenderpal Sorya.
