Toba Tek Singh

No-Man's Land.

REPORT

 

VEDANTH BHARGAVASA

1 BCOM D

20SJCCC370

 

Introduction

 The purpose of this assignment is to creatively recreate Saadat Hasan Manto’s story ‘Toba Tek Singh’. Taking Toba Tek Singh as a geographical location and linking Toba Tek Singh as an alternate identity, I have created the above poster. The partition of India was outlined in the Indian Independence Act 1947 which dissolved Crown rule in India and split India into the Dominions of India and Pakistan. This monumental event in history is the inspiration behind Manto’s story. Thus, the divisive and violent influence of Partition is prominent in my creative. Creativity is relative to perspective. With the right perspective only can creativity be understood. This stirring quote by Hasan Minto provides a great perspective about the minds of the citizens of both India and Pakistan:

“Hindustan had become free. Pakistan had become independent soon after its inceptionbut man was still a slave in both these countries- slave of prejudice…slave of religious fanaticism…slave of barbarity and inhumanity”.

 

Justification for creative mode of expression

Fire and blood.

No two words better describe the partition of Hindustan into India and Pakistan. Mass murder, rape, displacement of millions, and rioting split apart this nation and imbibed in both its populations a hatred still dormant in the hearts and souls of man today. Despite all this, the innocence (better word here would be depravity) of the lunatic characters in Saadat Hasan Manto’s story ‘Toba Tek Singh’ inspires a moment to ponder. The nature of partition was such that it was able to pierce through even the lunatic mind of Bishan Singh and rattle his sense of belonging. The above validates on why I went with a poster designed in such a way.

            The all-consuming fire of communal hatred burns in the background giving a befitting dark nature to the poster. Dividing India and Pakistan is the border. This border or ‘no mans land’ is the strip characterizing and reflecting the lunacy of Bishan Singh, the madness but necessity of partition and in the center ‘Toba Tek Singh’ as no mans land. The town/village which is neither in India nor Pakistan.

Why a creative mode of expression is important in historical re-imagination

A creative mode of expressing an occurrence in history provides a different type of understanding and perspective. The causes of events are vast and involve many decisions and events which leads to that event which ends up in the annals of history. To compile this into one painting, one form of expression such as theatre or dance is what enables man to be aware of history and learn from history. In terms of re-imagination: alternate endings, different realities, other dimensions, just words on paper don’t spark the curiosity of Humans. The alternate ending to World War 2 displayed in the tele-series The Man in the High Castle is a brilliant example of why a creative mode of expression, in this case, a tele-series is so critical to historical re-imagination. 

 

Possible future ramifications. What could have happened different?

The obvious alternate scenario is where the Partition never happened. If this occurred, the story ‘Toba Tek Singh’ would be non-existent as the main talking point is all about Partition. A more realistic alternate scenario would be if Cyrill Radcliffe drew the border in a such a way that the village Toba Tek Singh belonged to either India or Pakistan. Then there wouldn’t have been a no mans land and Bishan Singh would have had a sense of belonging. As to what could have happened different, in my opinion, Gandhi should never have attempted to prevent the partition of India. The seeds of division were sowed long before Jinnah or Gandhi were even born i.e during the rein of Aurganzeb. Gandhi’s decision to attempt to prevent the self-determination of Pakistan was the fulcrum in history. The right decision would have resulted in a peaceful transfer of power and partitioning from the British Crown to India and Pakistan respectively.

 

Describe the historical context you have chosen and who was involved or affected

The part of the story which piqued my interest was the fact that no one knew where Toba Tek Singh was. In the story the interpretation of what Toba Tek Singh is also warped. I have assumed Toba Tek Singh to be the name of the village where Bishan Singh is from. I also assume that the inmates linked Toba Tek Singh to Bishan Singh as Bishan Singh is what defines the village. Bishan Singh being a lunatic assumed that since no one knew if his village belonged to India or Pakistan, it must belong to neither and is the middle of both countries, in other terms ‘no mans land’. The characters affected by this are Bishan Singh and his family. The question arises whether Bishan Singh will ever be reunited with his family ever again. Unfortunately, this question will remain unanswered.