An edition of the Tyne Tees Television programme investigating topics affecting life in the North-East. In this episode a look at the grown and importance of British Asian communities across the region beginning by speaking with some of those who first arrived in the region sixty years ago. They talk about the reasons for leaving their homes in India and Pakistan, their initial impressions of the region and how they developed both the familial and business links that remain strong to this...

An edition of the Tyne Tees Television programme investigating topics affecting life in the North-East. In this episode a look at the grown and importance of British Asian communities across the region beginning by speaking with some of those who first arrived in the region sixty years ago. They talk about the reasons for leaving their homes in India and Pakistan, their initial impressions of the region and how they developed both the familial and business links that remain strong to this day. In the second part of the programme second and third generation British Asian talk about their community and the important contributions they made to North-East life. Title: Northern Eye. A Passage from India Black and white archive footage of the Indian Subcontinent featuring women carrying jugs on their heads, a man leading a herd of cattle and a phantom car ride through a city. Over the footage Jitu Desai who arrived in Middlesbrough in 1970, Surinder Kumar who arrived in Newcastle in 1960, Araf Chohan who was born in Middlesbrough, and Zena Baig who arrived in Middlesbrough in 1960 talk about of what life was like for them or their families in India and Pakistan and why and how they decided to move to the United Kingdom. More archive footage of the region from the 1960’s to show how different life was like to with participants explaining what life was it was like when they first arrived. Mafisa Chohan, mother of Araf Chohan, arrived in Middlesbrough with husband Gulham in 1949 talks about dealing with rationing. Over a black and white photographs featuring his father Gulham Sarwar Khan Chohan, Araf Chohan talks about his family’s journey to Britain and the cultural shock of arriving in Middlesbrough over archive footage of the town from the 1960’s. Zena Baig remembers her father’s initial negative comments about the town. Surinder Kumar sitting with his wife Raksha and talks about his initial impressions of the region which were not positive, he disliked the horrible weather and food. Archive of men and machines clearing snow over Vede Venayak MBE talking about the cold and snow when he first arrived. Over another photograph Araf Chohan talks about how his father established himself in the town, finding odd job before getting a job with steelmakers Dorman Long. A photograph of him on the cover of ‘Face-to-Face’ magazine and archive of steelmaking in a mill with Mafisa Chohan talking about the long hours her husband worked in the blast furnace. Vede Venayak who arrived in Newcastle in 1954 and Manohar Sehgal MBE who arrived in Newcastle in 1958 both talk about their first impressions of the city and finding work. Manohar Sehgal found work on the buses over archive of United buses driving around into a terminal, possibly in Exchange Square in Middlesbrough Surinder Kumar talks about the development of an Indian community where he was employed where other Indian’s could get together for food and tell jokes. Mafisa Chohan and son Araf explains how his father expanded into retail in 1962 over archive of an Asian shopkeeper and his family working in their shop. Over a photo of her and husband Gulham in their shop Mafisa provides details of running the shop and the long and hard hours put into the business. More archive of Asian families in the region and Indian children playing in a street. Over family photographs Zena Baig talks about her and her husband’s decision to open a launderette and how the business expanded. Araf Chohan explains how over time exactly what happened to the indigenous popular happened to the first wave of immigrants in that their children became teacher, doctors and dentists not wanting to work in the shops like their parents. More archive of busy streets and Asian shopkeepers. Archive of ship workers in a shipyard and Bimla Venayak, who arrived in Newcastle in 1972, talking about problems of communication with few women being able to speak English and how learning the language created more outlets for women. Zena Baig tells a funny story about mistaking a pork-pie for a cake being the catalyst for her to lean English over archive of Asian women and girls in a English class. Over archive of an Asian family visiting family or friends Raksha Kumar, who arrived in Newcastle in 1965, explains that with children growing up in the UK it was a lot harder for the older generation to return and settle back in India or Pakistan. Over photographs of Araf Chohan and his siblings as children plus archive footage of Asians children going to school Araf explaining that growing up in Middlesbrough he and his siblings weren’t conscious of being the only Asians in their class; he was just ‘a Middlesbrough lad’. Over archive of Asian men playing cards, Araf and Mafisa Chohan talk about the men’s groups which developed to help each other out with work, accommodation, and language. Over archive of Asian men cooking traditional foods and Asian foods and Halal meats in shops Vede Venayak, Mafisa Chohan and Zena Baig talks about the difficulty in getting Indian spices and the development of getting Indian foods into the region for the growing Asian populations. An Asian man looks at a poster for an Indian films in a shop window changes to a group of Asian men and boys outside the ‘Social Centre Western Cinema’. Manohar Sehgal and wife Veena, talk about going to the Tyneside ‘Picture Hall’ on Sunday’s while Vede Venayak and wife Bimla remember two cinemas in Jesmond that use to show Indian movies. Title: Northern Eye. A Passage from India In the kitchen of a modern restaurant cooks prepares a series of Indian dish mixes with a series of old photographs of Asian families. Local historian Araf Chohan explains how an infusion of newer immigrants from diverse parts of the world blend many aspects of diversification to get a richer mix of people that are incorporated into modern music. This mix is also common with food and the popularity of Asian cuisine which were once was known only to indigenous Indian people, but now forms part of modern British culture. Sitting in his Masala Restaurant in Middlesbrough, Councillor Shamal Biswas says that food has no cultural barrier, it brings communities together. Bollywood stars arrive at the 8th International Indian Film Academy Awards (IFFO) taking place in Sheffield in 2007. Event Organiser Kash Patel explains the important of these awards which are the Oscars for the Bollywood film industry. Jitu Desau who provided celebrity security describes his involvement at these events while on a stage Bollywood dancers and performers entertain the crowds while stars coming onto a stage to collect awards. Actress Shilpa Shetty is interviewed and explains the importance and value of being in Yorkshire for the ceremony changes to her performing on stage as part of the awards. Jitu Desau says that in the past seven years India has had six Miss World’s. In the family garden daughter Pretti wears the crown tiara for ‘Miss Great Britain’. Jitu is very proud; she is the first Asian ‘Miss Great Britain’ and will be heading to India shortly to take up offers of work in Bollywood. Pretti Desau explains for her it is a great honour to be crowned ‘Miss Great Britain’ and a dream come true. Taking place inside Albert Park, the Middlesbrough Mela with an Asian DJ on stage gets the crowd excited. The music and dancing begin with crowds watching or dancing along. Kash Patel explains how he has broken away from the stereotypical roles of doctors and accounts expected by Asian parents to work in the leisure and entertainment industry. As Kash talks about his involvement with the Mela he is filmed greeting Middlesbrough Mayor Ray Mallon and watching over the crowds at the event enjoying themselves. On stage a band performs, around it crowds of both Asian and English listening or dancing along. Araf Chohan explains when he was growing up there were less influences from his ancestral homeland, something that is very different today. Kash Patel also talks about his cultural roots and influences with one foot in Asian and another in a ‘westernised camp’ fusing them together makes him the person he is today. Crowds gather for an engagement party with women in brightly colourful sari’s standing around the future bride and groom on a stage; Tina Kunar and Rubi Puri sitting. A ring is presented to Rubi who places it on Tina’s finger. Raksha Kumar, Tina’s mother, talk about this happy occasion while Rubi’s sister Aarti Puri explains the event is a chance for both sides of the family to bless the couple. Around the room young women in bright saris and jewellery present gives to the happy couple and take photographs, Aarti explains the importance of colour in Asian culture. Bimla Venayak, who is in the audience, she says that as soon as a fashion comes out in India it comes out in Newcastle, she explains why. Surinder and Raksha Kumar talk about how emotional and happy the engagement party was to them. A photograph of a western woman wearing a sari and Araf Chohan explaining the growth from the mid-1970s of English women marrying 1st generation born Asian men. Perveen Ahmed-Dinsdale and husband Ken Dinsdale talk about their marriage over both home video and photographs of their wedding. Perveen explains that it was unheard of within the Asian community for a woman to marry an Englishman. They talk about how Ken slowly became accepted within her family and of their twenty-seven-year marriage and children. Over black and white photographs of various Asian families Ken explains the that the contributions made by Asian communities has been significant for not only retaining family values but also in business. The programme ends with a montage of voices and photographs from those featured talking about why they like living and working in the North-East. Title: Archive courtesy BBC, IFFA and Starplus Credit: Cameras Dave Dixon, Simon Glass Sound Recording Nick Grant Off-line Editing Kerry Plummer On-line Editing Adam Giles Sound Post-Production The Edge Researcher Asam Malik Series Producer Mary Wimpress Executive Producer Graeme Thompson Produced and Directed by Kavita Kumar, Lesley Duncanson © Planet North 2007 End credit: Planet North production for ITV