Exile in Calcutta 1/24

Kalyani, prostitute: "When I was fifteen my father sold me to a girl trafficker. I couldn’t run away or resist. My mother always told me about the houses, the gardens and temples in our village. It all seems like a distant dream to me."

Exile in Calcutta

Bengal was once a kingdom of its own, but then the occupying force of Great Britain partitioned the territory. In 1947 the Border Commission drew a random line across the landscape; even villages were cut in two. The Hindu-majority west remained a part of India. The Muslim populated east became part of Pakistan and later Bangladesh. Millions of people fled from wars, unrest, and poverty to the other half of Bengal. Calcutta, which lies west of the border, was shaped like no other city by this stream of migration, which has lasted to this day. Almost thirty percent of its inhabitants come from Bangladesh. Portraits of people in exile.


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Exile in Calcutta 2/24

Sudarshan Chakrabarty, choreographer: "My grandfather was killed in the riots that followed the partition. Our family had no choice but to flee. I do not consider myself a refugee but partition has played a role in making me what I am today"

Exile in Calcutta

Bengal was once a kingdom of its own, but then the occupying force of Great Britain partitioned the territory. In 1947 the Border Commission drew a random line across the landscape; even villages were cut in two. The Hindu-majority west remained a part of India. The Muslim populated east became part of Pakistan and later Bangladesh. Millions of people fled from wars, unrest, and poverty to the other half of Bengal. Calcutta, which lies west of the border, was shaped like no other city by this stream of migration, which has lasted to this day. Almost thirty percent of its inhabitants come from Bangladesh. Portraits of people in exile.


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Exile in Calcutta 3/24

Gauranga Chandra Rudra Paul, sculptor: "I came to Calcutta in 1947, when I was twelve years old. Our economic situation quickly improved after we arrived. We have the city to thank for our prosperity."

Exile in Calcutta

Bengal was once a kingdom of its own, but then the occupying force of Great Britain partitioned the territory. In 1947 the Border Commission drew a random line across the landscape; even villages were cut in two. The Hindu-majority west remained a part of India. The Muslim populated east became part of Pakistan and later Bangladesh. Millions of people fled from wars, unrest, and poverty to the other half of Bengal. Calcutta, which lies west of the border, was shaped like no other city by this stream of migration, which has lasted to this day. Almost thirty percent of its inhabitants come from Bangladesh. Portraits of people in exile.


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Exile in Calcutta 4/24

Alokananda Ray, dancer: "Sometimes I imagine what it might be like in Bangladesh. I only know the country from my parents’ stories, and I’d like to see it myself, someday. I was born in Calcutta. I couldn’t imagine living in another city."

Exile in Calcutta

Bengal was once a kingdom of its own, but then the occupying force of Great Britain partitioned the territory. In 1947 the Border Commission drew a random line across the landscape; even villages were cut in two. The Hindu-majority west remained a part of India. The Muslim populated east became part of Pakistan and later Bangladesh. Millions of people fled from wars, unrest, and poverty to the other half of Bengal. Calcutta, which lies west of the border, was shaped like no other city by this stream of migration, which has lasted to this day. Almost thirty percent of its inhabitants come from Bangladesh. Portraits of people in exile. "Exile in Calcutta" is part of the OSTKREUZ project "Über Grenzen".


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Exile in Calcutta 5/24

IT-area in Kolkata

Exile in Calcutta

Bengal was once a kingdom of its own, but then the occupying force of Great Britain partitioned the territory. In 1947 the Border Commission drew a random line across the landscape; even villages were cut in two. The Hindu-majority west remained a part of India. The Muslim populated east became part of Pakistan and later Bangladesh. Millions of people fled from wars, unrest, and poverty to the other half of Bengal. Calcutta, which lies west of the border, was shaped like no other city by this stream of migration, which has lasted to this day. Almost thirty percent of its inhabitants come from Bangladesh. Portraits of people in exile.


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Exile in Calcutta 6/24

Sujit Ranjan Sarker, pensioner: "I always felt home in Calcutta. My family came to this city before the division of Bengal. After the founding of Bangladesh our house was confiscated and turned into a museum. I haven’t been back there since."

Exile in Calcutta

Bengal was once a kingdom of its own, but then the occupying force of Great Britain partitioned the territory. In 1947 the Border Commission drew a random line across the landscape; even villages were cut in two. The Hindu-majority west remained a part of India. The Muslim populated east became part of Pakistan and later Bangladesh. Millions of people fled from wars, unrest, and poverty to the other half of Bengal. Calcutta, which lies west of the border, was shaped like no other city by this stream of migration, which has lasted to this day. Almost thirty percent of its inhabitants come from Bangladesh. Portraits of people in exile.


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Exile in Calcutta 7/24

Jogen Chowdhury, artist: "We went to Calcutta shortly after the separation. I am the only one in my family who has ever been back to our village — nothing was the same as it had been. Only a flower tree reminded me of my childhood."

Exile in Calcutta

Bengal was once a kingdom of its own, but then the occupying force of Great Britain partitioned the territory. In 1947 the Border Commission drew a random line across the landscape; even villages were cut in two. The Hindu-majority west remained a part of India. The Muslim populated east became part of Pakistan and later Bangladesh. Millions of people fled from wars, unrest, and poverty to the other half of Bengal. Calcutta, which lies west of the border, was shaped like no other city by this stream of migration, which has lasted to this day. Almost thirty percent of its inhabitants come from Bangladesh. Portraits of people in exile.


← back to overview
Exile in Calcutta 8/24

Slum in Kolkata

Exile in Calcutta

Bengal was once a kingdom of its own, but then the occupying force of Great Britain partitioned the territory. In 1947 the Border Commission drew a random line across the landscape; even villages were cut in two. The Hindu-majority west remained a part of India. The Muslim populated east became part of Pakistan and later Bangladesh. Millions of people fled from wars, unrest, and poverty to the other half of Bengal. Calcutta, which lies west of the border, was shaped like no other city by this stream of migration, which has lasted to this day. Almost thirty percent of its inhabitants come from Bangladesh. Portraits of people in exile.


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Exile in Calcutta 9/24

Dr. Chatterjee, surgeon: "The partition was a human tragedy. When a political and economic situation changes so drastically, it’s understandable that people will flee. I have never seen our village, but I would like to show it to my children someday."

Exile in Calcutta

Bengal was once a kingdom of its own, but then the occupying force of Great Britain partitioned the territory. In 1947 the Border Commission drew a random line across the landscape; even villages were cut in two. The Hindu-majority west remained a part of India. The Muslim populated east became part of Pakistan and later Bangladesh. Millions of people fled from wars, unrest, and poverty to the other half of Bengal. Calcutta, which lies west of the border, was shaped like no other city by this stream of migration, which has lasted to this day. Almost thirty percent of its inhabitants come from Bangladesh. Portraits of people in exile.


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Exile in Calcutta 10/24

Dilip Kumar Chowdhuri, pensioner: ”l never regretted migrating to Kolkata. Both of my sons are well established here in Kolkata now. I visited my village only once in 1949 but I do not want to go there anymore."

Exile in Calcutta

Bengal was once a kingdom of its own, but then the occupying force of Great Britain partitioned the territory. In 1947 the Border Commission drew a random line across the landscape; even villages were cut in two. The Hindu-majority west remained a part of India. The Muslim populated east became part of Pakistan and later Bangladesh. Millions of people fled from wars, unrest, and poverty to the other half of Bengal. Calcutta, which lies west of the border, was shaped like no other city by this stream of migration, which has lasted to this day. Almost thirty percent of its inhabitants come from Bangladesh. Portraits of people in exile. "Exile in Calcutta" is part of the OSTKREUZ project "Über Grenzen".


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Exile in Calcutta 11/24

Sri Uddhav Mandal, security man: "I haven’t been back to Bangladesh since I fled. I saw a lot of violence there. The memories are too painful for me to go back. Even though I feel independent and secure here, I don’t feel anything for Calcutta."

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Exile in Calcutta 12/24

Upper middle class residential area in Kolkata

Exile in Calcutta

Bengal was once a kingdom of its own, but then the occupying force of Great Britain partitioned the territory. In 1947 the Border Commission drew a random line across the landscape; even villages were cut in two. The Hindu-majority west remained a part of India. The Muslim populated east became part of Pakistan and later Bangladesh. Millions of people fled from wars, unrest, and poverty to the other half of Bengal. Calcutta, which lies west of the border, was shaped like no other city by this stream of migration, which has lasted to this day. Almost thirty percent of its inhabitants come from Bangladesh. Portraits of people in exile.


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Exile in Calcutta 13/24

Sandipan Chakrabarty, manager: "My father and my uncle were fighting against the British occupation in east Bengal. My grandfather took the family to Calcutta, because it was safer here. Ten of them lived in a two-room apartment."

Exile in Calcutta

Bengal was once a kingdom of its own, but then the occupying force of Great Britain partitioned the territory. In 1947 the Border Commission drew a random line across the landscape; even villages were cut in two. The Hindu-majority west remained a part of India. The Muslim populated east became part of Pakistan and later Bangladesh. Millions of people fled from wars, unrest, and poverty to the other half of Bengal. Calcutta, which lies west of the border, was shaped like no other city by this stream of migration, which has lasted to this day. Almost thirty percent of its inhabitants come from Bangladesh. Portraits of people in exile.


← back to overview
Exile in Calcutta 14/24

Bablu Molla, poultry butcher: "I love calcutta because the city gave me a chance to earn money and to live without fear."

Exile in Calcutta

Bengal was once a kingdom of its own, but then the occupying force of Great Britain partitioned the territory. In 1947 the Border Commission drew a random line across the landscape; even villages were cut in two. The Hindu-majority west remained a part of India. The Muslim populated east became part of Pakistan and later Bangladesh. Millions of people fled from wars, unrest, and poverty to the other half of Bengal. Calcutta, which lies west of the border, was shaped like no other city by this stream of migration, which has lasted to this day. Almost thirty percent of its inhabitants come from Bangladesh. Portraits of people in exile.


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Exile in Calcutta 15/24

Kalpana Mondal, home help: ”With the help of an agent we crossed the border on a bicycle. I didn't like Calcutta at the beginning, having left my family back in Bangladesh. My dream is to build a house like we used to have in Bangladesh."

Exile in Calcutta

Bengal was once a kingdom of its own, but then the occupying force of Great Britain partitioned the territory. In 1947 the Border Commission drew a random line across the landscape; even villages were cut in two. The Hindu-majority west remained a part of India. The Muslim populated east became part of Pakistan and later Bangladesh. Millions of people fled from wars, unrest, and poverty to the other half of Bengal. Calcutta, which lies west of the border, was shaped like no other city by this stream of migration, which has lasted to this day. Almost thirty percent of its inhabitants come from Bangladesh. Portraits of people in exile.


← back to overview
Exile in Calcutta 16/24

Slum in Kolkata

Exile in Calcutta

Bengal was once a kingdom of its own, but then the occupying force of Great Britain partitioned the territory. In 1947 the Border Commission drew a random line across the landscape; even villages were cut in two. The Hindu-majority west remained a part of India. The Muslim populated east became part of Pakistan and later Bangladesh. Millions of people fled from wars, unrest, and poverty to the other half of Bengal. Calcutta, which lies west of the border, was shaped like no other city by this stream of migration, which has lasted to this day. Almost thirty percent of its inhabitants come from Bangladesh. Portraits of people in exile.


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Exile in Calcutta 17/24

Sunil Gangopadhyay, writer: ”I was 13 years old when the tragedy of partition took place and my father was struggling to support a family with so many members. His decision to come to Calcutta was very wise. I am proud to be a 'Banga|'."

Exile in Calcutta

Bengal was once a kingdom of its own, but then the occupying force of Great Britain partitioned the territory. In 1947 the Border Commission drew a random line across the landscape; even villages were cut in two. The Hindu-majority west remained a part of India. The Muslim populated east became part of Pakistan and later Bangladesh. Millions of people fled from wars, unrest, and poverty to the other half of Bengal. Calcutta, which lies west of the border, was shaped like no other city by this stream of migration, which has lasted to this day. Almost thirty percent of its inhabitants come from Bangladesh. Portraits of people in exile. "Exile in Calcutta" is part of the OSTKREUZ project "Über Grenzen".


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Exile in Calcutta 18/24

Eleena Banik, artist: "My parents came to Calcutta just before the unrest that preceded the division of Bengal. I don’t feel a need to see their homeland."

Exile in Calcutta

Bengal was once a kingdom of its own, but then the occupying force of Great Britain partitioned the territory. In 1947 the Border Commission drew a random line across the landscape; even villages were cut in two. The Hindu-majority west remained a part of India. The Muslim populated east became part of Pakistan and later Bangladesh. Millions of people fled from wars, unrest, and poverty to the other half of Bengal. Calcutta, which lies west of the border, was shaped like no other city by this stream of migration, which has lasted to this day. Almost thirty percent of its inhabitants come from Bangladesh. Portraits of people in exile.


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Exile in Calcutta 19/24

Shyamal Chakrabarty, politician: "I immigrated to Calcutta in 1949, when I was just five years old. Nevertheless, it was a very important experience for me. The fact that my family and I were refugees politicized me strongly."

Exile in Calcutta

Bengal was once a kingdom of its own, but then the occupying force of Great Britain partitioned the territory. In 1947 the Border Commission drew a random line across the landscape; even villages were cut in two. The Hindu-majority west remained a part of India. The Muslim populated east became part of Pakistan and later Bangladesh. Millions of people fled from wars, unrest, and poverty to the other half of Bengal. Calcutta, which lies west of the border, was shaped like no other city by this stream of migration, which has lasted to this day. Almost thirty percent of its inhabitants come from Bangladesh. Portraits of people in exile.


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Exile in Calcutta 20/24

Shopping mall in Kolkata

Exile in Calcutta

Bengal was once a kingdom of its own, but then the occupying force of Great Britain partitioned the territory. In 1947 the Border Commission drew a random line across the landscape; even villages were cut in two. The Hindu-majority west remained a part of India. The Muslim populated east became part of Pakistan and later Bangladesh. Millions of people fled from wars, unrest, and poverty to the other half of Bengal. Calcutta, which lies west of the border, was shaped like no other city by this stream of migration, which has lasted to this day. Almost thirty percent of its inhabitants come from Bangladesh. Portraits of people in exile. "Exile in Calcutta" is part of the OSTKREUZ project "Über Grenzen".


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Exile in Calcutta 21/24

Debarghya Bairagi, fashion designer: "My family was liberal and provided us a good upbringing. From my childhood I was romantic about my parent's early life at Jessore because of all the stories that we heard from our parents."

Exile in Calcutta

Bengal was once a kingdom of its own, but then the occupying force of Great Britain partitioned the territory. In 1947 the Border Commission drew a random line across the landscape; even villages were cut in two. The Hindu-majority west remained a part of India. The Muslim populated east became part of Pakistan and later Bangladesh. Millions of people fled from wars, unrest, and poverty to the other half of Bengal. Calcutta, which lies west of the border, was shaped like no other city by this stream of migration, which has lasted to this day. Almost thirty percent of its inhabitants come from Bangladesh. Portraits of people in exile. "Exile in Calcutta" is part of the OSTKREUZ project "Über Grenzen".


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Exile in Calcutta 22/24

Dipu Ray, rickshaw-puller: "My family had a house and some property in Khulna but Hindus and Muslims were not tolerant towards each other, which often led to violence. My father now works as a carpenter and I help him to run the fami|y."

Exile in Calcutta

Bengal was once a kingdom of its own, but then the occupying force of Great Britain partitioned the territory. In 1947 the Border Commission drew a random line across the landscape; even villages were cut in two. The Hindu-majority west remained a part of India. The Muslim populated east became part of Pakistan and later Bangladesh. Millions of people fled from wars, unrest, and poverty to the other half of Bengal. Calcutta, which lies west of the border, was shaped like no other city by this stream of migration, which has lasted to this day. Almost thirty percent of its inhabitants come from Bangladesh. Portraits of people in exile. "Exile in Calcutta" is part of the OSTKREUZ project "Über Grenzen".


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Exile in Calcutta 23/24

Subimal Sarkar, pensioner: "I often think of Chittagong, the town where I was born. I would like to go back and spend my last days in Bangladesh. Calcutta today is a cosmopolitan city. There is not much left of the old Bengali flavor."

Exile in Calcutta

Bengal was once a kingdom of its own, but then the occupying force of Great Britain partitioned the territory. In 1947 the Border Commission drew a random line across the landscape; even villages were cut in two. The Hindu-majority west remained a part of India. The Muslim populated east became part of Pakistan and later Bangladesh. Millions of people fled from wars, unrest, and poverty to the other half of Bengal. Calcutta, which lies west of the border, was shaped like no other city by this stream of migration, which has lasted to this day. Almost thirty percent of its inhabitants come from Bangladesh. Portraits of people in exile.


← back to overview
Exile in Calcutta 24/24

Middle class residential area in Kolkata

Exile in Calcutta

Bengal was once a kingdom of its own, but then the occupying force of Great Britain partitioned the territory. In 1947 the Border Commission drew a random line across the landscape; even villages were cut in two. The Hindu-majority west remained a part of India. The Muslim populated east became part of Pakistan and later Bangladesh. Millions of people fled from wars, unrest, and poverty to the other half of Bengal. Calcutta, which lies west of the border, was shaped like no other city by this stream of migration, which has lasted to this day. Almost thirty percent of its inhabitants come from Bangladesh. Portraits of people in exile. "Exile in Calcutta" is part of the OSTKREUZ project "Über Grenzen".


← back to overview