Tape Letters

“We came here by coach. It took one month to reach here...”

Throughout the 1950s, 60s and 70s, people migrated to Scotland from Pakistan in significant numbers. What does the archive of Tape Letters reveal about this crucial time?

This episode explores what life was like for those who came to Scotland, and for those who remained in Pakistan. How did cassette tapes keep them connected?

“I was so happy that I started crying while listening... I can still feel it now!”

Episode credits

Contributors: Shavana Abdul-Jabbar, Nasreen Akhter, Asghar Mohammed, Parveen Sajid, Nassir Ellahi, Assia Ali, Nadira Saddiq, Mohammed Farooq, Nazia Majid, Jamila Bibi, Musarat Begum, Kausar Ilyas, Munwar Sultan, Mussarat Arshad, Mirza Muhammad Saeed 

Cassette tape donors: Mohammed Ishaq, Khadijah Khurram

Project director: Wajid Yaseen

Podcast presenter: Tabassum Niamat

“You go back and listen. People that have passed now, you can hear their voices… it just brings back memories.”

Unlike a letter or telegram, or even a video on a screen, a cassette recording can feel like the person is right there in the room.

This episode reflects on the deep emotional impact of Tape Letters. It also explores questions of identity, nationality, and culture.

“I take pride in being Scottish, I’m Scottish-Pakistani… [but] I'm torn between two cultures, two languages, two countries.” 

Episode credits

Contributors: Izaz Ur Rahman, Naila Waseem, Mohammed Farooq, Dean Mohammed, Jamila Bibi, Mirza Muhammad Saeed, Nadira Saddiq, Shenaz Ahmad, Faria Khan, Kausar Ilyas, Nasim Hussain, Akeel Ahmad, Khalida Hussain

Cassette tape donors: Khadijah Khurram, Mohammed Ishaq, Kauser Riaz, Rehana Ahmad

Project director: Wajid Yaseen

Podcast presenter: Tabassum Niamat

“Other things came, like telephones, and they stopped the tapes.”

Generations of Scottish-Pakistanis sent and received Tape Letters, before new means of communication took over: from email to instant messaging, video calls to voice notes.

This episode explores evolving technology. How does it impact the use of language, and linguistic identities?

“Ask the younger children! What does it mean to be Pakistani for them, through their lens?”

Episode credits

Contributors: Kausar Ilyas, Asghar Mohammed, Mohammed Khan, Nadira Saddiq, Khadijah Khurram, Suriaya Hussain, Izaz Ur Rahman, Mirza Muhammad Saeed, Naila Waseem, Mohammed Farooq, Nazia Majid, Nassir Ellahi, Parveen Sajid, Rehana Ahmad, Khalida Hussain

Cassette tape donors: Mohammed Ishaq, Khadijah Khurram, Rehana Ahmad

Project director: Wajid Yaseen

Podcast presenter: Tabassum Niamat

“Imagine the feeling of pressing play on a cassette tape that’s just arrived from some 5,000 miles away…”

What is a 'Tape Letter'? Why did people exchange news and greetings with each other on cassette, and how did they do it?

Our series starts with an overview of the Tape Letters Scotland project, and a flavour of the anticipation and excitement of sending and receiving long distance cassette recordings.

“For us it was a novelty, sort of like a joke. Whereas Mum and Dad, they were more emotional…”

Episode credits

Contributors: Assia Ali, Mohammed Farooq, Nassir Ellahi, Izaz Ur Rahman, Khadijah Khurram, Mirza Muhammad Saeed, Parveen Sajid, Nadira Saddiq, Faria Khan, Saima Begum, Nasreen Ali, Akeel Ahmad, Shavana Abdul-Jabbar, Seriya Iqbal, Aqsa Mohammed, Kausar Arshad

Cassette tape donors: Mohammed Ishaq, Sameena Kauser Younus, Shavana Abdul-Jabbar, Khadijah Khurram, Rehana Ahmad

Project director: Wajid Yaseen

Podcast presenter: Tabassum Niamat