Actor/playwright Sudha Bhuchar shares her award-winning play Child of the Divide, marking the 75th anniversary of the Partition of India.

Join us for this special coffee morning at Kingsbury Library.

Child of the Divide is inspired by Bhisham Sahni’s short story, Pali and Tamasha’s inaugural production premiered in 2006 at Polka Theatre, London. It is Summer 1947 and 16 million people are on the move between India and the newly formed Pakistan. Amid the violent political upheaval young Pali’s fingers slip from his father’s hand, and his destiny changes forever. Taken in by a Muslim family, he is given a new name, a new faith, and a new life. But when his real father returns to claim him, Pali must decide who he is: the Hindu boy he was born to be, the Muslim boy he has become, or simply a child of the divide.

Sudha will share her inspiration behind writing this piece, which includes the curiosity of her young mixed heritage (Indian and Pakistani) children. We will read scenes together and have a conversation around the importance of ‘owning’ a shared history in the UK as a way of building bridges through embracing difficult conversations in an inclusive way.

As we mark the 75th anniversary of the Partition of India, the audience will be encouraged to share their own experiences if they wish to do so - of turning points in their lives as children which shaped their destiny. Sudha is passionate about the wisdom of children as truth tellers, piercing through the prejudices of adults. Writing from lived experiences of people, Sudha believes in the power of personal testimonies in bringing people together.

Event accessibility

• Kingsbury Library is a fully accessible building with an accessible toilet.

• There is no car park.

This event is free, but registration is required: