The 1980s & 1990s

The Sharma family embark on the third stage of their time-travelling adventure through British Asian History, guided by BBC Asian Network’s Noreen Khan and historian Dr Yasmin Khan.

This time they re-live the 80s and 90s – a period in which the hard work of South Asians finally begins to pay off. It is a time where success is reflected in material things, from huge stereos and mahogany display cabinets housing the ‘best’ glass and china, right through to the embossed gold wallpaper in their living room.

Meanwhile, mum Manisha shoves frozen pizzas and chips from the shop into the oven, reminiscing to Alisha about how she and her sister were introduced to these foods as a good old British school dinner. Just as South Asian families were starting to embrace a more western diet, the BBC were helping prompt a culinary revolution in the other direction. The family watch Madhur Jaffrey’s primetime Indian Cookery series, in which she introduced a white British audience to mysterious ingredients like ginger and garam masala.

The late 80s sees Alisha and Akash get some time away from the shop, to experience what was a rite of passage for many South Asian teenagers – the ‘Daytimer’. With parents unwilling to let their teenagers go out at night, teenage South Asians would go clubbing during the day. Legendary music producer Bally Sagoo explains how the movement he helped create took off.

By the end of the 90s, South Asian culture had trickled its way into the mainstream. Cornershop score a no 1 with their single about a Bollywood icon; Goodness Gracious Me is must-watch TV, and the economic upturn brings with it new opportunities in Birmingham. Things are certainly looking better.

Back In Time For Birmingham is made by Wall to Wall Media for the BBC.

Publicity contact: Harjinder Mann