Racism and discrimination were strife
In the heart of Wolverhampton, the lens of the Black Country Visual Arts (BCVA) has captured an enthralling visual chronicle that depicts the riveting journey of Punjabi migration.
The Apna Heritage Archive project, fuelled by a Heritage Lottery Fund grant in 2016, curated a captivating collection that honours the impact of Punjabi individuals on Wolverhampton, UK.
Using over 2000 historic photographs and memorabilia, they immortalised the stories of migrants who shaped the landscape of the city from 1960 to 1989.
This initiative was overseen and directed by Anand Chhabra, the co-founder, director, and Chair of BCVA.
Under his guidance, the collection offers a poignant glimpse into the struggles and triumphs of a community that found its home in the heart of the Black Country.
Wolverhampton emerged as a cultural crucible for Punjabi migration to the UK.
The Apna Heritage Archive encapsulates the visual allure of this migration.
However, it also illustrates how the Punjabi community adapted to its new environment whilst also exposing it more to Punjabi culture.
From the 60s onwards, Wolverhampton became a magnetic force, drawing in individuals seeking new opportunities, a better life, and a place to call home.
The curated exhibition at Wolverhampton Art Gallery in 2018 extended its stay due to an overwhelming reception and underscored the significance of preserving and celebrating the vibrant history of this community.
With a visionary approach, Anand Chhabra initiated and spearheaded this project and earned national acclaim.
His commitment to preserving cultural heritage extends beyond the Punjabi migration project, as reflected in his initiatives such as Prix Pictet 2019 and Historic England’s ‘Picturing Lockdown’.
His lens doesn’t merely capture moments; it weaves narratives that bridge the past and the present.
The initiative is not merely about frozen moments in time; it’s a living, breathing testament to resilience, unity, and the indomitable spirit of a community.
Sharing such enriching moments is incredibly important for future generations to grasp the history of South Asians in the UK.
Portraits of Change
Upon their initial voyage, a lot of Punjabi communities in India sought change and were aware of the opportunities within the UK.
Of course, Britain and India have had a tumultuous and deep relationship.
And, whilst the idea of moving to the UK was met with caution, a lot of people saw no other choice but to achieve a more prosperous life for themselves and their families’ future.
Here lie images of some individuals in India before they began their migration journey.
A group of men stand by a bus before boarding:
A mother and her two children on a balcony in India:
A singular portrait of a woman before migrating:
As families set within Wolverhampton, they brought along their customs, ideas, and culture.
A lot of the Punjabi community was also fascinated with portraits and photographs as a whole.
Most of these images were sent back home to urge others to join them or to keep families updated on how a person(s) was living.
Initially, a lot of men moved to the UK to work so they could send money back to India.
Once their families had enough money to move, they then joined the men in their new country.
When Punjabi people had settled in, one could already distinguish the generations from their clothing.
A Punjabi woman dressed in a sari puts out the washing:
A family picture. Notice the elders in traditional wear and the children in more Western attire:
A woman poses in a Wolverhampton park:
A man smoking a cigarette outside his home:
Two boys smile before going to school:
A brother and sister portrait:
A schoolgirl smiles for the camera:
Two women dressed in suits alongside their children:
A boy’s strong pose shows the fashion of the 60s:
A mother and daughter:
A trio of women symbolise the generations:
Becoming comfortable in new surroundings:
These early depictions show the transition from India to Wolverhampton and the noticeable differences between the countries.
Children in their school uniforms or 60s fashion, and the elders in their suits and salwaars, portray how this community was adapting yet holding on to their past lives.
However, this hold on culture was not just through fashion or action, it was through traditions also.
Family & Traditions
Not just Punjabi families, but South Asian households globally, value family and unity.
This togetherness was plastered all over UK cities. In Wolverhampton especially, this strong bond was celebrated.
After all, racism and discrimination were strife so at times, all these individuals had was each other.
A family in the sun:
A grandmother and her youngers:
A woman and her small baby:
A normal get-together for men:
Women pose in saris in the park:
Weddings remain a huge element in South Asian culture.
The Punjabi community often go all out for these occasions, and being in the UK didn’t stop them.
Brides, grooms, friends, and families would take to the streets partying and rejoicing, which still happens today across Britain.
A groom appears impatient as he waits:
A newlywed enters the house:
A man and his wife take to the streets surrounded by their family:
Groomsmen with matching turbans:
A “cheesy” yet classical take on a wedding portrait:
A full house to congratulate an engaged man:
Posing whilst feeding remains to this day:
A groom smirks as he and his wife play traditional wedding games:
Two newlywed couples stand side by side:
It’s interesting to note how quickly families were able to organise their marriages and how determined they were to form future partnerships in the community.
It shows their dedication towards the future generations and how important this migration was for them.
Additionally, these initial traditions that filtered from India are still prevalent in the modern day.
A Working Breed
The Punjabi community in Wolverhampton during the 60s played a significant role in the industrial landscape of the Black Country.
Invited to the region to contribute to its factories and foundries, their presence left a lasting impact on the local economy.
This project shows the archives in the region that uncover the integral role Punjabi workers had.
Eventually, the Punjabi community and other South Asian migrants would open up their businesses such as shops and clothes factories.
However, it wasn’t just their work ethic within manual labour, it also applied to their focus on education and ability to succeed.
A teacher and his two students:
A local corner shop and employees:
A local factory:
The first South Asian working in the Racing Car Division at the Goodyear factory:
Racing driver Jackie Stewart meeting with Black and Asian workers at the Goodyear tyre factory:
A South Asian woman among colleagues, wearing a sari:
These personal insights display that Punjabi migrants weren’t settled in the UK.
They wanted to achieve more for themselves, despite facing a lot of prejudice.
A Western Generation
Although subsequent years would bring a lot of backlash, success, hurdles, and triumphs, the Punjabi community found a new home in Wolverhampton.
Mingling with white children, being exposed to Western fashion, exploring new businesses and fusing their new culture with their traditional ways laid the foundations of British Asians today.
A mix of friends:
A ‘British Asian’ family:
Girls group:
New styles were also making their way to first-generation British Asians.
Sunglasses, quiffs and funky jackets were the new norm.
A savvy man:
The 60s hairstyle:
A dapper gentleman:
Mixing with new people meant that integrated families became more common.
A South Asian man with his white British wife:
A group of Punjabi men in Wolverhampton:
Cars were also of keen interest and became a staple of British Asian culture in the 70s and 80s.
However, it was in the 60s that men first became obsessed with them.
Riding high:
Two men pose on top of their classic car:
A South Asian woman poses next to her friend:
A man shows off the groovy style of the 60s:
A woman enjoying the outdoors with her baby:
A family in the neighbourhood park:
A man basking in his new life:
As the lens captures the essence of Punjabi migration in Wolverhampton, the Apna Heritage Archive transcends its role as a repository of photographs.
It becomes a bridge connecting generations, fostering cultural understanding, and instilling a sense of pride in the roots that run deep in the Black Country soil.
Anand Chhabra’s visionary leadership has paved the way for a future where the stories of Punjabi migration continue to echo in the halls of Wolverhampton’s cultural legacy.
With each photograph, this visual odyssey becomes a timeless reflection of a community’s journey, ensuring that the vibrant chapters of Punjabi migration are etched into the collective memory of the UK.
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