Quisse of the Komagata Maru.



A qissa (quisse plural) is a tradition of Punjabi oral storytelling with communities which emerged when the local Punjabi people and migrants from the Arab peninsular and contemporary Iran fused.

This event was a culmination of research (both archival and social) and a live audio and visual performance - new work carried out by Roo Dhissou. Commissioned by GRAIN Projects, Roo’s research came together through collaboration with communities associated with the Sikh and Punjabi diaspora in Vancouver. The research was based around the history of the Komagata Maru in Vancouver in 1914. Using quisse, Roo recounts her memories of the research trip, presenting us with oral histories of her time spent in Canada with the local gurdwaras, Sikh and Punjabi communities, researchers and activists. An in conversation took place after the event with Dr Jasmine Chohan curator and researcher currently based at Tate Britain.

Find out more here
 and Roo’s Instagram takeover @grain_projects

A GRAIN Projects commission, supported by Arts Council England and Birmingham City University


Images by Sancha.