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Remnants of a Separation: A History of the Partition through Material Memory by Aanchal Malhotra
anjukris's review against another edition
4.0
Firstly, I'm slow when it comes to non-fiction. This book, in my opinion, made for lengthy reading. It is definitely unique and some of the stories tugged at my heartstrings, especially "The Pearls of Azra Haq." Malhotra writes lucidly and never did I find myself struggling to make sense of her narration. She has worked hard to highlight a few among several personal histories born out of this cataclysmic event - the partition of India - which are at risk of getting extinct with the last generation that witnessed this mass bloody exodus from both countries.
My only critique of this book would be the lack of intersectionality across these stories. Almost all the interviewees belonged to wealthy, upper-class/caste families that could afford cars and foreign education in those times, or those of aristocratic lineage. My intention isn't to undermine their struggles or trauma but to highlight that their privilege did come in handy whilst escaping the clutches of communal violence and brutality. That they could cling onto something tangible and reminisce about their homeland is a reminder of their privilege. What about those who lost their families, or got orphaned or had to deal with lasting effects of their trauma for a long time? Perhaps I was looking for something grittier. Perhaps material memory is a privilege in itself.
My only critique of this book would be the lack of intersectionality across these stories. Almost all the interviewees belonged to wealthy, upper-class/caste families that could afford cars and foreign education in those times, or those of aristocratic lineage. My intention isn't to undermine their struggles or trauma but to highlight that their privilege did come in handy whilst escaping the clutches of communal violence and brutality. That they could cling onto something tangible and reminisce about their homeland is a reminder of their privilege. What about those who lost their families, or got orphaned or had to deal with lasting effects of their trauma for a long time? Perhaps I was looking for something grittier. Perhaps material memory is a privilege in itself.
mansimudgal's review
5.0
A good book helps you feel and makes you think things you haven’t given much thought before.
Remnants of a Separation by @aanch_m does that and more. The book manages to talk about and discuss batwara (partition) of India and Pakistan through material objects brought by refugees on either side during what was perhaps the largest mass migrations in human history with violence on a scale that had seldom been seen before. With Trains full of dead mutilated bodies on either side, gendered violence on women with rapes and abduction; families splitting apart.
.
My family happened to be on the right side of a bureaucratic exercise; a Hindu in India in a town called Rewari in Haryana. We came out relatively unscathed so growing up so many years later I have viewed this event in a detached manner, where human bodies felt like statistics and Pakistan another country just like all others.
After reading this book I feel like a different person; imagine running away from your homes and lives in the middle of the night with only those possessions you can carry on your person, things that can be hidden so that you aren’t robbed; some utensils for some, a bit of jewellery for others, photographs, a shawl.
.
What item will you take while you flee for your lives?
The book is bittersweet, I felt for Bano a third generation migrant to Pakistan and her fear of her grandmother’s native tongue Samanishahi being lost to her after her father’s death; the only people speaking it would be those across the border.
A yearning for houses, bazaars of Karachi.. of Sindh; Of a man’s home in Jullendur whose stone plaque made his way back to him after so many years.
Woh ghar, Woh Bachpan, woh aangan, woh garmiyaan, woh sardiyan (that house, that childhood, that courtyard, those summers, those winters).
.
I loved how the author brought out all these memories that were repressed or talked of depending on people through objects, the things not being just that anymore but a gateway to a life lived beyond the borders.
Is it heartbreaking?Yes, but it’s also hopeful and nostalgic because as long as love stays in between people on both sides there is hope.
- Mansi
Remnants of a Separation by @aanch_m does that and more. The book manages to talk about and discuss batwara (partition) of India and Pakistan through material objects brought by refugees on either side during what was perhaps the largest mass migrations in human history with violence on a scale that had seldom been seen before. With Trains full of dead mutilated bodies on either side, gendered violence on women with rapes and abduction; families splitting apart.
.
My family happened to be on the right side of a bureaucratic exercise; a Hindu in India in a town called Rewari in Haryana. We came out relatively unscathed so growing up so many years later I have viewed this event in a detached manner, where human bodies felt like statistics and Pakistan another country just like all others.
After reading this book I feel like a different person; imagine running away from your homes and lives in the middle of the night with only those possessions you can carry on your person, things that can be hidden so that you aren’t robbed; some utensils for some, a bit of jewellery for others, photographs, a shawl.
.
What item will you take while you flee for your lives?
The book is bittersweet, I felt for Bano a third generation migrant to Pakistan and her fear of her grandmother’s native tongue Samanishahi being lost to her after her father’s death; the only people speaking it would be those across the border.
A yearning for houses, bazaars of Karachi.. of Sindh; Of a man’s home in Jullendur whose stone plaque made his way back to him after so many years.
Woh ghar, Woh Bachpan, woh aangan, woh garmiyaan, woh sardiyan (that house, that childhood, that courtyard, those summers, those winters).
.
I loved how the author brought out all these memories that were repressed or talked of depending on people through objects, the things not being just that anymore but a gateway to a life lived beyond the borders.
Is it heartbreaking?Yes, but it’s also hopeful and nostalgic because as long as love stays in between people on both sides there is hope.
- Mansi
popcorrrrnn's review against another edition
5.0
Some stories keep you awake at night, and some events never let you sleep. India’s partition is that stain which time also cannot clean. These might be just collection of 21 stories across 400 pages but these are more than just remnants.
Aanchal Malhotra, who herself has partition history weaved into her life, takes up this project of painlessly interviewing people across subcontinent and presents this real life collection in 21 stories. In these stories you will find the horrors and traumas which was inflicted on an entire generation of our grandparents age. Those who migrated from and to either India, Pakistan or Bangladesh; everyone left in haste, hoping that they will eventually be back. Some never left before thinking their city will be part of India only and not across a border. And some never made it across any borders.
This recollection of 1947 or years before and after partition is not an easy read at all. I took my own time through tears and water breaks, talked to those who have partition history because reading this hasn’t quenched my thirst.
Decades of trauma lives on generations on either side of our borders. And the simplest question which so many asked still haunts, what was the need to partition this country?
I am glad I read this book and someone who is from the subcontinent must definitely read it to know where we come from .
Aanchal Malhotra, who herself has partition history weaved into her life, takes up this project of painlessly interviewing people across subcontinent and presents this real life collection in 21 stories. In these stories you will find the horrors and traumas which was inflicted on an entire generation of our grandparents age. Those who migrated from and to either India, Pakistan or Bangladesh; everyone left in haste, hoping that they will eventually be back. Some never left before thinking their city will be part of India only and not across a border. And some never made it across any borders.
This recollection of 1947 or years before and after partition is not an easy read at all. I took my own time through tears and water breaks, talked to those who have partition history because reading this hasn’t quenched my thirst.
Decades of trauma lives on generations on either side of our borders. And the simplest question which so many asked still haunts, what was the need to partition this country?
I am glad I read this book and someone who is from the subcontinent must definitely read it to know where we come from .
durva_1401's review against another edition
informative
inspiring
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
5.0
sumitbhagat's review against another edition
4.0
There are books that feel good even before you've read them. The premise might be alluring, the print and the illustrations might be inviting, or the cover art might be inordinately beautiful. Aanchal Malhotra's Remnants of a Separation has all of these three, and more.
Remnants of a Separation is a unique narrative on the partition of India. The stories bring the gruesome and uncertain nature of the events to light in a form that lends a very human feel to partition. They terrorize, overwhelm, amuse and often reveal how despite the artificial boundaries of religion or nation, human beings continue to retain a love for their roots. The book not only paints a vivid picture of human resilience in the face of the worst of atrocities but also of vulnerability to painful memories embedded deep into one's soul even when on the surface things seem to have healed.
“Memory dilutes, but the object remains unaltered.”
_________________________________________________
The detailed review for this book can be found at https://sumitbhagat.substack.com/ , where I regularly write about books, long-forms & stuff from around the web in the form of a short (<5 min), fortnightly e-mail newsletter. Please do subscribe if you like.
Remnants of a Separation is a unique narrative on the partition of India. The stories bring the gruesome and uncertain nature of the events to light in a form that lends a very human feel to partition. They terrorize, overwhelm, amuse and often reveal how despite the artificial boundaries of religion or nation, human beings continue to retain a love for their roots. The book not only paints a vivid picture of human resilience in the face of the worst of atrocities but also of vulnerability to painful memories embedded deep into one's soul even when on the surface things seem to have healed.
“Memory dilutes, but the object remains unaltered.”
_________________________________________________
The detailed review for this book can be found at https://sumitbhagat.substack.com/ , where I regularly write about books, long-forms & stuff from around the web in the form of a short (<5 min), fortnightly e-mail newsletter. Please do subscribe if you like.
goel_1996's review against another edition
4.0
What things/objects people brought along with them during partition, and why?
The author has given a unique perspective to look at partition without much emphasis on the political aspect of it.
Forced to kill their own toddlers, travel in a train with dead bodies, separated from their motherlands, watching their loved ones die, one can't fathom the atrocities someone experienced during the partition.
Freedom came at the price of common man.
The only con is that the stories become repetitive after a while.
I'll suggest reading it sporadically instead of finishing it in a single go.
The book's a 3.5 for me. An extra 0.5 for Aanchal who went through all the pain to meet people on both sides of the border and document their anecdotes.
The author has given a unique perspective to look at partition without much emphasis on the political aspect of it.
Forced to kill their own toddlers, travel in a train with dead bodies, separated from their motherlands, watching their loved ones die, one can't fathom the atrocities someone experienced during the partition.
Freedom came at the price of common man.
The only con is that the stories become repetitive after a while.
I'll suggest reading it sporadically instead of finishing it in a single go.
The book's a 3.5 for me. An extra 0.5 for Aanchal who went through all the pain to meet people on both sides of the border and document their anecdotes.
soumitareads's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
informative
reflective
sad
slow-paced
4.0