Celebrating South Asian Heritage Month: Fiction and Poetry

By Nadia Shah, Yumna Iqbal and Michelle Ye

As we celebrate South Asian History Month, we recognise the literary contributions of South Asian authors. These writers have explored themes such as identity, migration and cultural heritage, reflecting the complexities of the region's history. From ancient epics to contemporary novels, South Asian literature offers diverse perspectives and deep insights into the social and historical fabric of South Asia. In this issue, we will focus on South Asian fiction and poetry, including works by authors from the South Asian diaspora. Their unique perspectives on life between cultures deepen our understanding of identity and belonging. 

Fiction 

The Things That We Lost by Jyoti Patel 

Based in London, Jyoti Patel has been immersed in literature since school, writing stories as a child and graduating with a master’s degree in Prose Fiction from the University of East Anglia. Since then, Patel has been awarded the 2021 #Merky Books New Writers’ Prize, shortlisted for the 2022 Bristol Short Story Prize and named as a 2023 Top 10 debut novelist by The Observer. 

The Things That We Lost, Patel’s debut novel, is a journey of self-discovery and intergenerational understanding. In the wake of his grandfather’s death, eighteen-year-old Nik has been left with a key that unlocks family secrets that have long been kept out of reach by his mother, Avani. Avani has her own reasons for withholding truths from Nik as she shoulders grief from the death of her husband and tackles her own history as a young British-Gujarati navigating London in the 1980s. The narratives from both mother and son intertwine to create both a compelling family drama and a nuanced exploration of belonging. 

Home Fire by Kamila Shamsie 

Kamila Shamsie has published a number of novels, beginning with her debut work, In the City by the Sea, which was shortlisted for the John Llewelyn Rhys Award. Her subsequent novels have also earned critical acclaim. 

Home Fire features a cast of characters whose obstacles echo Sophocles’ Antigone and its confrontation with family, religion and politics. The tight-knit bond between British-Pakistani siblings Isma, Parvaiz and Aneeka kindles the narrative. Isma has been granted a visa to study in the United States, no longer needing to take care of her younger siblings after the death of their parents. However, this change pushes Parvaiz towards ISIS and leaves Aneeka in a state of desperation as she hopes to keep her family together. As the novel races towards its climax, each sibling must decide which facet of their identity will govern their choices. 

The Runaways by Fatima Bhutto

The Runaways by Fatima Bhutto intertwines the lives of three young individuals from Karachi and beyond. Anita lives in Karachi's largest slum, dreaming of escape through her elderly neighbour's books. Monty, the privileged son of a wealthy businessman, faces upheaval when a rebellious new classmate arrives. In England, Sunny struggles to find his place, torn between his father's dreams and his own desires, until a charismatic cousin offers new possibilities.

Bhutto examines how experiences of poverty, disaffection, and alienation can become pathways to radicalism. The novel is set against the backdrop of societal constraints and cultural expectations, making it an exploration of identity and belonging. As the characters’ paths converge in the desert, they are forced to confront their secrets and make life-changing choices. The Runaways is a bold and probing novel, shedding light on the vulnerabilities of youth and how they can be exploited.

Poetry

I Speak for the Devil by Imtiaz Dharker

I Speak for the Devil by Imtiaz Dharker is a collection that delves into themes of identity, exile and the human experience, blending evocative language and introspective depth. Born in Pakistan and raised in Scotland, Dharker's poetry reflects her unique perspective on cultural fusion, displacement and the diaspora. Her verses resonate with vivid imagery and lyrical beauty, offering profound reflections on the complexities of existence and the search for belonging.

Through Dharker's poetic lens, readers are invited to explore the intersections of Eastern and Western cultures and the universal emotions that connect us all. Her ability to capture the essence of personal journeys and societal landscapes with clarity and sensitivity makes I Speak for the Devil a poignant and enlightening collection. Whether contemplating themes of love, loss, or the struggle for identity, Dharker's poetry speaks directly to the human condition in a way that is both intimate and universally resonant.

Milk and Honey by Rupi Kaur

Milk and Honey by Rupi Kaur is a classic collection of poetry that focuses on themes of loss, love, violence and one’s femininity. Split into four parts, Kaur focuses each on a different form of pain, recounting painful memories to show that there is goodness in even the worst situations while easing different heartaches.

Kaur self-published the collection as she was unable to find a publisher. However, the success of Kaur’s book led to her publishing two more poetry collections. The collection has also been dubbed part of the Instapoetry genre, as she used Instagram to market her poems.