What do you mean by South Asian
Diaspora?
Adopting labels and short-hand terminology to reflect a
much more complex reality is always problematic, and SALIDAA is aware that, at
times, terms such as “South Asian Diaspora” are not entirely satisfactory.
However, for the purpose of establishing some reference points for the
organisation of a physical and digital archive, the following terminology has
been adopted:
South Asia
refers to the Indian
subcontinent, including Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, the Maldives, Nepal,
Pakistan, Sri Lanka
Diaspora
is used in its wider meaning
of “dispersion or spreading, as of people originally belonging to one nation or
having a common culture” (Oxford English Dictionary)
South Asian Diaspora
indicates all
those people of South Asian background born in Britain or South Asia, who are
resident in Britain or, if no longer resident, who have spent a considerable
amount of their life in Britain. People of South Asian background who were born
in a country other than Britain or the Subcontinent but live or have lived in
Britain are also included, such as those of South Asian origin from Africa and
the Caribbean.
What is SALIDAA?
SALIDAA stands for
South Asian Diaspora Literature and Arts Archive. SALIDAA is a national charity
which was set up in 1999 with the aim to create a physical and digital archive
of material relating to the literature and arts produced by South Asian
writers, artists and performers in Britain.
Why an organisation like
SALIDAA?
SALIDAA was founded by a group of academics, experts and
practitioners of South Asian literature and arts in response to a widespread
and growing concern that the contribution of the South Asian community to
literature and arts in Britain was disappearing and becoming inaccessible
primarily as a result of lack of resources. The body of works by South Asian
Diaspora writers and artists in Britain has grown in volume in the last few
decades, but to date there is no provision for an institution dedicated to
gather, preserve and make this material accessible. SALIDAA fills this
gap.
About SALIDAA
