Kiran chugani

Stroke of Midnight

Stroke of Midnight

Stroke of Midnight :I am Sindhi. My family’s story begins in Karachi, where generations, including my father, were born.Religious beliefs tore the land apart when, on the 17th of August in 1947, the Radcliffe Line was revealed, just two days after independence. This line divided India and Pakistan into two separate countries: Pakistan for Muslims and India for Hindus and Sikhs. Many found themselves on the wrong side of this line, fleeing across borders and leaving a trail of massacres, arson, forced conversions, mass abductions, and brutal sexual violence. The upheaval uprooted more than 15 million people.My own family was among those uprooted. The Partition brought with it a shroud of silence, and I’ve managed to piece together our story through conversations with grandparents, aunts, and uncles. Yet, I still don’t possess the complete narrative. However, this history courses through me – in my DNA, in my blood – and has woven itself so tightly into the fabric of my being that it unconsciously influences all of my life experiences.This series is about healing from Partition and embracing the journey that followed. The circle split in two is made from handmade paper through which I have burnt holes in using an incense stick – always Nag Champa – a ritual that echoes the daily morning prayers at home. This repetitive act serves as a cathartic release of my stories and images, carried away by the smoke into the winds in prayer. The band of gold symbolizes all that could be taken before being displaced but also all that is sacred. The titles of these paintings are in kilometers, representing the distances my extended family traveled to find safety ( Karachi to Bombay – 883 km / Karachi to Colombo – 2418 km / Hyderabad to Baroda – 1115 km etc ). Some chose to rebuild their lives in these new locations, while others viewed it as a stepping stone in their journey towards establishing a new home.With this series, my intention is to put to rest the pain and to open up to the diverse paths life has led us since.