Writer - India | Fiji | NZ | Maori

Unearthing Intersecting Histories, Cultures, and Shared Struggles through Online Writing

Praneil Chandra is an accomplished writer and historian, driven by his passion for uncovering the intertwined histories of India, Fiji, and New Zealand. Through his writing, which he extensively publishes on social media, blogs, and websites, Praneil delves deep into the history of the Girmit system and its impact on these three nations. His personal connection to this history runs deep, as his great grandfather served as a six-year-old boy under the Girmit system.

The Girmit system's lingering issues, particularly the restrictive access to land for Fijians of Indian descent, have profoundly affected Praneil's life and that of his close family members. This firsthand experience has given him a unique perspective on the challenges faced by nearly all Fijians of Indian descent in Fiji today. The struggles have been so severe that many Fijians of Indian descent have migrated to New Zealand, unaware that New Zealand itself was involved in the colonial Girmit system in Fiji. The opening of the Chelsea sugar mill in Auckland by the Colonial Sugar Refinery further solidified this connection, as it engaged in a slave-like Girmit system in Fiji.

Praneil's exploration of history doesn't stop at the Girmit system. He recognizes the profound suffering endured by the Maori people during colonialism in New Zealand, particularly during the land wars that followed the signing of the Treaty of Waitangi. These details remain the subject of ongoing debate and reflection. Praneil draws attention to these historical injustices and strives to foster a deeper understanding of their far-reaching consequences.

A remarkable aspect of Praneil's research is the discovery of deep cultural connections between New Zealand's Maori culture and the cultures of India and Fijians of Indian descent. He highlights the shared elements between Indian languages, especially Sanskrit, and the Maori language, reflecting a linguistic and cultural kinship. Praneil also explores the connections between Maori cultural practices like Matariki and musical instruments like the Putatara which is a conch shell instrument common in India, Fiji and New Zealand Maori culture. Elements common between the Indian and Maori cultures are feathers, tattoo, carved jewellery, hand made costumes, dance, music, community connectedness, statue carving, community gathering places, the tongue gesture and spirituality.

With his thought-provoking and insightful writing, Praneil Chandra invites readers to delve into the complex histories of India, Fiji, and New Zealand, connecting the dots where these nations intersect and shedding light on the lingering effects of the Girmit system. His work serves as a catalyst for dialogue, understanding, and the recognition of shared legacies that have shaped the present-day fabric of these diverse nations.

Praneil's latest research project in to perform a comparative historical linguistic study of the Maori and Sanskrit languages.

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