Film or TV Series about the Partition of India

[Robleau2]

Some years ago (late 90's) I read a book about the Partition of India. It was fictional and it's various chapters told different stories of how the Partition affected Hindus, Moslems, Sikhs etc. It didn't take sides; each story was told from the perspective of a particular religious or ethnic group. I cannot remember the name of the book but I know it was based on either a film or a TV Series. When I think about it, it would probably have been released or broadcast in 1997 marking the 50th Anniversary of the Partition.

Any help appreciated.

[CaptainWaggett]

The obvious book would be Midnight's Children but the proposed BBC adaptation fell through. This might help...

Artistic depictions of the partition of India - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

[Robleau2]

Thanks for your post Captain. Fact is I was well out with my information. The book was "Tamas" by Bhisham Sahni, written in 1971. It was made into a TV mini-series and a film "Darkness", but I'm unsure if the mini-series was ever shown in Britain. "Artistic depictions of the partition of India" was a good call.

[Moor Larkin]

We had BFI Screenonline: Jewel in the Crown, The (1984) .
Based on Paul Scott's acclaimed Raj Quartet, The Jewel in the Crown (ITV, 1984) comes the closest to capturing the mood of the last days of the Raj than any of the several films and television dramas made on the subject in the early 1980s. It achieves this by choosing to concentrate on the politics of the time and a few well-etched, complex characters, instead of simply casting a nostalgic eye on the glory days of the Raj. Moreover, by avoiding overt criticism of British policy in India, and letting events speak for themselves, the drama manages to create a convincing portrait of a turbulent time.

Was it reshown around the 50th I wonder?

I recall an interesting documentary about Jinnah, Quaid-e-Azam THE FOUNDER OF PAKISTAN from a fair few years back. That must have been the anniversary i suspect.

[wadey]

Well worth a look ifyou are interested is The Raj Quartet a four-volume novel sequence, written by Paul Scott, about the concluding years of the British Raj in India. The series was written during the period 1965–75. The Times called it "one of the most important landmarks of post-war fiction."

It was shown on telly as The Jewel in the Crown

The Jewel in the Crown (TV series) - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

[Elaine]

Bhowani Junction is another film about the days before partition. As Wadey has already said, The Jewel in The Crown is a perfect series depicting those troubled times. You can get Bhowani Juction as a book. The film was adapted from the same. I have a copy, but it is a rare out of print book. So it will take some looking for.

[narabdela]

...but it is a rare out of print book. So it will take some looking for.

Ebay to the rescue!


http://books.shop.ebay.co.uk/i.html?....c0.m270.l1313

[Elaine]

Ebay to the rescue!


Bhowani junction items - Get great deals on Fiction, Antiquarian Collectable items on eBay UK!

Not so rare then! How many on ebay?...said I with an embarrassed smile..

[Steve Crook]

Bhowani Junction is another film about the days before partition. As Wadey has already said, The Jewel in The Crown is a perfect series depicting those troubled times. You can get Bhowani Juction as a book. The film was adapted from the same. I have a copy, but it is a rare out of print book. So it will take some looking for.

There are 339 copies currently on offer on the Advanced Book Exchange (ABE). It may be out of print, but it's not rare. Some of them are being offered for as little as 62p (+ postage from Bristol)

Steve

[wadey]

For an "end of empire" film you'd go a long way to beat "Guns at Batasi"

[Elaine]

There are 339 copies currently on offer on the Advanced Book Exchange (ABE). It may be out of print, but it's not rare. Some of them are being offered for as little as 62p (+ postage from Bristol)

Steve

So I found out when I looked. Lots of house clearances I guess.