(May 28, 2023) As Meera Syal was being presented BAFTA lifetime achievement award in a glittering ceremony in London this month, she placed a bindi on it and said, ‘it represents change’. The England-born actress was also presented a BAFTA Fellowship in recognition of her ‘outstanding achievement’ in the world of television.
Known for her diverse and accomplished career as a British-Indian comedian, actress, writer, and singer, the sixty-one-year-old has made significant contributions to the entertainment industry. In the UK of the ’90s, she rose to prominence as one of the leading comedy performers. As a core member of the ground-breaking comedy series Goodness Gracious Me (1998-2001), Syal explored the British-Asian culture, challenging stereotypes and racism through humour. The sitcom which was the first in this genre became highly successful and garnered critical acclaim, while Syal became a household name.
Meera Syal receiving CBE from King Charles
Over the years the actor’s versatility, and commitment to social commentary have made her a respected and prominent figure in the British television industry. A recipient of an MBE in 1997 and a CBE in 2015, Syal features on school and university syllabuses, and was said to be among the late Queen’s favourite artists. Her parents had moved to UK from India before her birth.
The versatile performer
It’s not just comedy. Syal has explored many genres, and been part of numerous television shows, films, and stage productions. Some of her notable appearances include her role as Auntie Shaila in the film Anita and Me and her portrayal of Ummi in the television show The Kumars at No. 42 (2001-2006) which won an International Emmy in 2002 and 2003, and a Peabody Award in 2004. Later, she married her co-star from the series, Sanjeev Bhaskar.
Throughout her career, Meera Syal has used her platform to address social issues and advocate for diversity and representation. She has always shed light on the cultural nuances, stereotypes, and prejudices faced by British Asians.
An accomplished writer, Syal is well known for her novels, scripts, and plays. Her debut novel, Anita and Me, which she wrote in 1996, was highly acclaimed. She also acted in the novel’s feature film adaptation in 2002. She created magic writing screenplays for acclaimed films like Bhaji on the Beach, and Bombay Dreams, the play Shirley Valentine, and three novels including Life Isn’t All Haa Haa Hee Hee (which was later made into a major television series).
Meera Syal with one of her books
No matter how much work she has done over the years, the actress is best known as one of the writers and star of Goodness Gracious Me (1998-2001). Even after so many years if she sits down for an interview, a question around it is always posed at her. In a recent interview, she mentioned, “The great thing is we were really brave with it because we had nothing to lose. None of us were known. If it didn’t work we’d go back to obscurity.”
Love for the diaspora
Syal has played a crucial role in representing the experiences and challenges faced by the Indian diaspora in the United Kingdom. Her work has helped raise awareness and promote understanding of the Indian diaspora’s unique identity and struggles. She has been actively involved in advocacy for representation and cultural diversity. “As a chubby brown kid, I got othered a lot,” the actress told during her BAFTA acceptance speech.
Later in life, she made her work a medium to confront stereotypes associated with South Asian communities, and humorously provided a fresh perspective, debunking misconceptions. By doing so, she helped reshape public perceptions and promote a more accurate and nuanced understanding of the diaspora. If roles didn’t exist for a British-Asian actor, she wrote them.
Talking about the power of art, the Global Indian said, “the arts are important because the arts are about empathy, sharing stories and reminding people what we share, not what makes us different”.
Syal has been a vocal advocate for diversity and representation in the entertainment industry. She has spoken out against the lack of opportunities and stereotyping faced by ethnic minorities, including the Indian diaspora. Through her activism, she has helped create a more inclusive space for diverse voices and stories, both on and off-screen.
Diaspora’s inspiration
Born in Wolverhampton into a Punjabi family, the actress was raised in Essington, a mining village where the Syals were the only non-white family. She went on to study English and drama at the University of Manchester, where she co-wrote and performed a play about a British-Indian girl who runs off to be an actress. The play won prizes at the National Student Drama Festival and the Edinburgh Fringe. These wins proved to be a catalyst of how she intermingled art with diaspora’s representation in future.
Meera Syal’s success and visibility as an accomplished British-Asian artist has served as an inspiration to many. Her achievements have shown that talent, hard work, and perseverance can break barriers and pave the way for greater representation and recognition. She is a role model for aspiring artists from diverse backgrounds.
As part of the BAFTA Fellowship, Syal would be working directly with the arts charity for a year to inspire and nurture aspiring creative minds through the institution’s year-round learning, inclusion and talent programmes.
Syal’s recent television shows and thearetical releases:
- The Split (2018 – 2002) – Television Show
- Back To Life (2021) – Television Show
- The Devil’s Hour (2021) – Television Show
- Roar (2022) – Television Show
- The Sandman (2022) – Television Show
- The Almond and the Seahorse (2023) - Thearetical Release
- The Wheel of Time (2023) – Thearetical Release
- Mrs Siddhu Investigates (2023) – Thearetical Release
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