Between Two Worlds is a skilfully woven memoir of self-discovery by Indian Australian author and poet, Gwen Bitti. It deftly explores questions of belonging and unbelonging in both India, her country of birth, and Australia, her adopted home, while delving into the complex in-between spaces that migrants often inhabit. At the heart of the book is the remarkable story of Bitti’s caul birth, and her journey to uncover its significance.
Initially, Bitti intended to write her life’s recollections solely for her family and future generations. However, after receiving overwhelming enthusiasm from readers, she felt compelled to share it with a broader audience. In the Author’s Note, she explains the title Between Two Worlds, expressing her deep love and gratitude for both countries. She speaks of her strong connection to her homeland and her equal appreciation for the opportunities Australia provided. The title also refers to the spiritual world juxtaposed with the material realm, further highlighting the duality in her life. Bitti notes that her memoir is constructed from documented memories and insights gathered from conversations with family, friends, and other reliable sources.
The book’s cover features photos of a young Bitti, a later image, and the passports of both countries, alongside her caul box. The memoir begins with a striking line: “Thirty-four years after my family’s terrifying flight out of India, here I stand with an Australian passport in hand, Indian-issued tourist visa within.” From this point, the reader is drawn into the shimmering beauty and accompanying chaos of India, witnessing the many changes that have taken place in her birth country since her migration to Australia at sixteen. Through Bitti’s sharp perceptions, humour, and revealing conversations with childhood connections on her return to India, the reader gradually learns more about her family’s background and their life before fleeing the country.
As Bitti reconnects with her past, readers are introduced to her family’s story and the environment they lived in prior to leaving India. The book seamlessly blends historical, geographical, and cultural context, painting vivid descriptions of India’s rich customs, lively festivals, delectable cuisine, and dazzling attire.
“At the end of the monsoons, agile rickshaw wallahs got a reprieve from dodging potholes… The sun dried the dampness. Paper boats that once floated through the compounds and streets were heaped up in gutters and passageways. Flattened. Street vendors returned, and the aroma of cumin and coriander once more filled the air. Corn, held on wooden sticks, snapped and crackled on open flames. When sold, they were seasoned with butter and pepper or lemon juice.” (pg 63)
Equally captivating are Bitti’s reflections on the culture shock she experienced after migrating to Australia, as well as her observations on the cultural nuances of her new home.
Between Two Worlds invites the reader into the vibrant microcosm of Anglo-India, offering insights into the community’s traditions and attitudes through Bitti’s perceptive lens. Early in the book, she outlines the historical background of the Anglo-Indian community: “The Anglo-Indian community was born in 1911, when the Viceroy and Governor General of India, Lord Harding, officially decreed the offspring of European fathers and Indian mothers as ‘Anglo-Indian” (pg 23).
With a captivating style, crisp prose, and well-defined narrative voice, Bitti weaves anecdotes that illustrate what it meant to belong to this micro-minority. She reflects on the ingrained notions of British superiority that shaped her upbringing, where Anglo-Indians often viewed themselves as distinct from Indians, confined socially and matrimonially within their own community. Raised with a strong sense of Britishness, Bitti admits she had little understanding of Indian culture and customs. While they participated in English cuisine and social etiquette, having Indian domestic staff familiarised them with some aspects of Indian food.
The book also highlights the changing political and social climate post-Indian independence in 1947, which led to the decline of Anglo-Indians’ social status. Bitti skilfully brings to light the cycles of violence that erupted after the dissolution of the British Raj and the Partition of India into two nations.
Bitti credits her father as her greatest inspiration for writing her memoir. He was the influential printer and publisher of The Statesman, a widely read newspaper, covering national and global events, including the assassination of Mahatma Gandhi, whom he had personally met on a few occasions. His profession came with its own risks, especially during government elections, depending on the political stances taken by journalists. He was also a member of the Anglo-Indian movement and a State Council representative, advocating for Anglo-Indians’ representation in the Indian Constitution. Political volatility, communal riots, and language issues were among the factors that prompted Bitti’s family to leave India, hastened by an investigation that uncovered political complicity, which ultimately made staying untenable.
In Australia, Bitti discovered yoga, becoming a teacher of the practice and deepening her insights into Eastern philosophy, Ayurveda, and meditation. During a reflective moment at Khajuraho, she uncovered her deep love for India and understood the meaning of her caul birth. Determined to have her Indian birthright recognised, Bitti embarked on a challenging journey through India’s bureaucratic maze, which tested her patience in ways she had never experienced.
Between Two Worlds is a rare narrative centred on Bitti’s caul, which binds her to both countries and her spiritual journeys. Research suggests that caul births, where a baby is born with part of the amniotic sac covering the head or face, occur in less than 1 in 80,000 births. Caul bearers are believed to be special, possessing the ability to foresee the future, hear psychic messages, and communicate with spirits. Bitti’s childhood experiences with these abilities are viscerally conveyed: “The nights grew long. Every creak and thud were magnified and interpreted. My spirit companions flooded in, almost as if they had an open invitation. I didn’t like them. They hovered, asking me to take messages to people for them. I didn’t want to. I tried to ignore them, close my eyes. Pray.” (pg 139)
If there is one shortcoming in the memoir, it is my personal wish for more anecdotes of Bitti’s clairaudience and other extraordinary abilities she was born with.
While writing Between Two Worlds may have been a liberating and poignant experience for Bitti, it serves as a unique record for her family and future generations. However, the book’s scope reaches far beyond her personal journey. It will resonate with anyone curious about other cultures, migrant stories, or quests for identity and belonging. This elegantly written true-life story invites readers to grapple with profound questions: What defines you? Are you comfortable in your skin? Where do you call home? Do you embrace your roots or shy away from them? Do you accept the cards life has dealt you, or do you resist them?
Questions of Belonging — “Between Two Worlds” by Gwen Bitti; Ginninderra Press, 2023; 222 pages
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Gwen Bitti’s 'Between Two Worlds' is a compelling #memoir of migration, self-discovery & the complexities of identity. It explores her Anglo-Indian heritage & spiritual journey. Curious to learn more? Join the discussion! 🌍📚✨🧘♀️ #TheIndianSun @gwenbittihttps://t.co/2epHPCuvHT
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