This Side That Side

The most decisive formative moment in modern South Asian history, Partition has remained a site of constant engagement, investigation and memory-making for over three generations. Over the years, Partition discourse has been shaped by prevalent politics, the use of faith for political reasons, a nod to nostalgia, a cocktail of facts and rumors laced with speculation, and the scholarly exchange of memories. Marking a watershed, generational moment of change in this discourse, This Side, That Side brings together graphic narratives on this epochal moment by comic artists, writers, artists, illustrators, filmmakers, theatre artists and storytellers from across South Asia. This anthology explores a dominant theme in contemporary South Asia —an enduring curiosity about the 'other side.' Poignant, contemplative, and often even playful, these narratives are creative explorations by those who may not have witnessed Partition, but who continue, till date, to negotiate its legacy. Many of the stories in This Side That Side grew out of conversations —in several cases, across borders —between graphic artists and storytellers. This anthology itself is the result of a unique collaborative process between the publisher YODA PRESS, in proposing the idea and nurturing its results; GOETHE-INSTITUT/MAX MUELLER BHAVAN, DELHI in providing processual and conceptual partnership to the project; and VISHWAJYOTI GHOSH, in mining, selecting and structuring the stories within the framework of a graphic narrative, mentoring the contributors, and designing the book. This book is published by Yoda Press.