This is an oral history interview with Avtar Singh Jouhl, recorded between October 1991 - February 1992, as part of the Birmingham Black Oral History Project (BBOHP), discussing his life in India and the UK.
Avtar lived in Punjab, India until 1958 when he left college and travelled to England hoping to continue his studies. He worked in foundries in Birmingham and joined the Indian Workers Association after experiencing inequalities in the workplace. He talks about his upbringing in rural Punjab, India, his involvement with Trade Unions and politics and his work and family life in Birmingham.
These recordings include racially explicit content, including discussions of racism, prejudice and violence; and language and phrasing that we would not use today. Some of this content might be unsuitable for younger listeners or triggering for People of Colour.
We recommend reading the description for each track before choosing to listen.

R1195
[Recordings and transcriptions from Tracks 06 to 10 of R1195 are currently embargoed due to permissions and copyright reasons.]
 
Track 01 The Communist Party and Connection with the Indian Workers Association
Avtar talks about the Communist Party and links to the IWA
 
Track 02 The Communist Party and Connection with the Indian Workers Association/ The Split in the IWA
Avtar talks about the Communist Party and links to the IWA and how the split in the Communist Party affected the IWA
 
Track 03 Communist Party Influence But The IWA Remained Independent
Avtar talks about how the leaders of the IWA were Communist Party members but very few of the members were
 
Track 04 Arranged Marriages
Avtar talks about how his arranged marriage happened
 
Track 05 Arranged Marriages (Continued)
Avtar talks about arranged marriages in general terms
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