New gallery at Partition Museum highlights Sindhi refugee journeys since 1947

The Delhi Partition Museum inaugurated the ‘Lost Homeland of Sindh’ gallery, exhibiting the Sindhi refugee experience since the Partition in 1947. Located at the Dara Shukoh Library in Old Delhi, the gallery is a collaboration between The Arts and Cultural Heritage Trust (TAACHT), the Sindhi Culture Foundation and the Embassy Group.

Notable features

• The Freedom Fighters’ Panel, researched by Nandita Bhavnani and Saaz Aggarwal, honours the sacrifices of Sindhi freedom fighters.
• Reena Kallat’s video installation is inspired by Karachi’s 1932 directory and archival footage from Sindh before the Partition
• A notable feature is the Ulhasnagar Matrix, which portrays the post-Partition journeys of Sindhi refugees

This new gallery serves as a bridge between generations of Sindhi refugees and the younger diaspora, focusing on both tangible and intangible aspects of their heritage. It offers historical insights and emotional healing, fostering reconciliation and connecting the younger generation to their roots and history.

Kishwar Desai, founder of Partition Museum and Chair of TAACHT, said this initiative continues the museum’s mission to preserve the stories of millions displaced during Partition.

Visitors entering the gallery are welcomed with a map of the Indus river, guiding them through intricate exhibits such as vintage Sindhi portals, traditional Ajrak block printing and Shikarpuri carvings on Burma teak.

The Freedom Fighters’ Panel, researched by Nandita Bhavnani and Saaz Aggarwal, honours the sacrifices of Sindhi freedom fighters. Meanwhile, Reena Kallat’s video installation is inspired by Karachi’s 1932 directory and archival footage from Sindh before the Partition.

A notable feature is the Ulhasnagar Matrix, which portrays the post-Partition journeys of Sindhi refugees. The gallery was inaugurated by Gajendra Singh Shekhawat, Minister of Culture and Tourism, and Jitu Virwani, Chairman and Managing Director of the Embassy Group.

“This initiative aims to connect with younger generations and help them understand the hardships faced by those from Sindh. Despite these challenges, they established themselves and contributed to the economy of the country,” the minister said in a video message.

The gallery officially opens to the public on October 6.