Sharmeen Obaid-Chinoy marks 70th anniversary of partition with unique project ‘Home 1947’

MANCHESTER: Double Oscar winner Sharmeen Obaid-Chinoy brings a powerfully personal perspective of Indo-Pak collective story through a series of short drama and documentary films, a gallery installation, and an elegiac reimagining of a century-old house, recreating the long-lost sights, sounds and smells of what millions once called home. Her project, ‘Home 1947’, is a unique name in itself.

Speaking exclusively to Geo.tv in Manchester, Sharmeen said, "People know me for my political and social work, but in 2007, I thought of this idea and thanks to the Manchester international festival I was given this opportunity to showcase this here in Manchester for 9 days, an unmissable experience for those who want to experience what their families have gone through during the partition, and how they have lived, felt, survived during that period.”

“The idea is unique as it's not only reflecting the partition, but also all those people who have lost their homes and can't go back to their homes. The project in itself will bring people from different races and colours to experience what people have gone through during the partition," she continued.

"My main motive is to preserve the history of 1947, we are into 70 years of our independence so we don't have enough people who have experienced partition, so the idea is to either film or write down the personal experiences of those who have seen or experienced partition. Those nations who don't preserve their history always struggle to find their true identity, so this project will help in preserving our history and acknowledge our true history. I would also love to showcase this project in other countries especially India and Pakistan so more people can come forward with their stories.”

Through ‘Home 1947’, the two-time Academy winner Sharmeen reflects on the largest mass migration ever witnessed, which took place exactly 70 years ago this year. ‘Home 1947’ puts a human face on history, asking what it means to find and feel at home. More than 10 million people were displaced in 1947 during the creation of two new independent states, India and Pakistan. As the refugee crisis continues to affect millions across the world, ‘Home1947’ shows us this world not through the words of historians and politicians, but through the eyes of those who lived through the situation.

On the opening evening of ‘Home 1947’ , MIF will present a one-off concert at the Lowry, bringing together two of Sufi music’s brightest female stars, Sanam Marvi from Pakistan and Harshdeep Kaur from India, performing together for the first time.