BBC Radio Leeds is working with West Yorkshire Playhouse to mark the 70th anniversary of the partition of the Indian sub-continent.
It will be airing a play, written by Leeds-based arts journalist and author, Nick Ahad and directed by Stefan Escreet.
Partition will explore the legacy of the division of India and the creation of Pakistan, it will examine the millions of lives lost through the eyes of a modern day couple.
“Partition is very much an important landmark for our South Asian communities, and the memories of 70 years ago are still fresh for the current generation of British Indian and British Pakistani families,” explained BBC Radio Leeds editor, Sanjiv Buttoo.
“Historically this world event saw the largest ever movement of mankind, so we commissioned this play to give an insight of how it still affects our lives in a profound way.
“We are very proud and excited to be working closely with the team at West Yorkshire Playhouse to bring our listeners history in a modern, contemporary and relevant way”.
It will be broadcast on BBC Radio Leeds at midnight on 14/15 August, to mark the exact time when the British partitioned India. It will then be performed in front of a live audience at the West Yorkshire Playhouse in September.
“It is a huge privilege to be the writer for the first project that brings together the two cultural institutions of BBC Radio Leeds and West Yorkshire Playhouse,” said Ahad.
“The story of Partition is one that continues to deeply affect British families whose roots lie in India, Pakistan and Bangladesh. It is incredibly exciting to be able to explore this story with the powerful mediums of both radio and theatre.
“Alone, they are enormously effective ways of delivering a story. Bringing them together in this unique project will, I hope, have a hugely resonant power.”
