Manchester Museum creates first-ever permanent South Asian gallery in UK

Manchester Museum, part of the University of Manchester, recently collaborated with the British Museum and reopened on February 18, 2023, becoming the first-ever museum consisting of a permanent South Asia Gallery in the UK. The gallery will exhibit diverse histories and experiences of the South Asian diaspora, including Bangladesh.

Co-curated with The South Asia Gallery Collective, the museum will celebrate the contribution of the South Asian community in the UK. It will further encourage the younger generations to learn more about South Asian heritage and culture. Some of the key highlights of the museum includes a rickshaw imported from Bangladesh; a saree passed down during the time of partition, and a newly commissioned mural from British artists, The Singh Twins, presenting an emotional map of the South Asian diaspora experience.

The gallery has been uniquely co-curated by the South Asia Gallery Collective, a group of 30 inspiring individuals, including community leaders, educators, artists, historians, journalists and musicians. The story-led design of the gallery will reflect multiple voices and perspectives of South Asia through six overarching themes: Past & Present, Lived Environments, Science & Innovation, Sound, Music & Dance, British Asian, and Movement & Empire.

In 'Past & Present', the public can explore the ancient Indus Valley Civilisation through a contemporary lens, which shares perspectives beyond archaeologists' perceptions of that time.

'Science & Innovation' look at South Asian innovation through the contribution of three iconic individuals that have often been overlooked, including Satyendra Nath Bose, one of the seminal founders of modern quantum science. Moreover, 'Sound, Music & Dance' features various forms of musical expression, from ancient instruments such as the Hakgediya, a Sri Lankan conch shell, to the secret South Asian Daytimers raves of the 80s and 90s.

On this occasion, Nusrat Ahmed, South Asia Gallery Curator, Manchester Museum, said, "As a first-generation British-born South Asian, it is fascinating to be part of such a ground-breaking project.. We hope to engage other diaspora communities on its opening and support its continual evolution. This personalised approach humanises the gallery, telling stories about real people and their objects."