Challa, Dheeyan & Shukar

CHALLA, DHEEYAN & SHUKAR

An Evening of Storytelling, Memory and Remembrance for Partition Memorial Day

CHALLA, DHEEYAN & SHUKAR is an evening of remembrance marking Partition Memorial Day, bringing together historians, academics, artists, poets and community voices to explore memory, identity, heritage and belonging through storytelling, scholarship, music and conversation.

Curated by psychologist Dr Bhavna Sennik, the evening creates a reflective community space to honour the lives forever changed by the Partition of India and to consider the legacies that continue across generations.

Inspired by oral history, psychology and cultural memory, the evening unfolds through three interconnected themes:

CHALLA

The story of leaving home and having no return.

DHEEYAN

Honouring the daughters and women whose lives were forever changed by Partition. Through women life is born, from women life is taken.

SHUKAR

A reflection on survival, inheritance and gratitude. This closing section considers what we continue to carry from previous generations and it takes to have Shukar.

The evening will conclude with Shukar Hai Rabb Da, an open community reflection inviting participants to share memories, poetry, gratitude and stories.

Who is this event for?

This event has been created primarily as a space for people from racialised communities whose families continue to carry the legacies of colonialism, racism, displacement and Partition. It offers an opportunity to gather in remembrance, to reconnect with history, and to explore how these stories connect and shape identity, belonging and community today.

The evening also warmly welcomes anyone who wishes to engage with these histories thoughtfully and respectfully.

Please note: Due to the themes explored, including Partition, violence, trauma, grief and loss, this event is intended for adults and is not suitable for children.

Speakers

Speakers and performers will include historians, academics, artists, poets and community voices.

Further speakers will be announced soon.

Food and refreshments will be served throughout the evening.

This is an independently organised, community-led event. Ticket sales contribute towards venue hire.

Please note there is no photography or videography permitted during speakers segments and discussions.