New exhibition looks at how Scottish and Pakistani families kept in touch using 'tape letters'

They might be antiquated technology now, but audio cassettes were useful for more than just playing music back in the 1960s and 70s.

A new exhibition explores how tapes were used to record messages that were sent back and forth between Scottish Pakistani communities and South Asia.

The practice became very popular as they were cheaper than an international phone call and more personal than a letter.

Wajid Yaseen – the director of the group behind the project Modus Arts – first thought about the prospect after he came across old recordings of his Dad singing – more than 20 years after his death.

“I thought it was just our family that did this” Wajid told STV News, but he quickly found out that wasn’t the case.

“I enquired in various communities in Manchester, which is where I’m originally from.

“And of course it turned out there were lots of families who used this.”

That sparked an idea which has now turned into an exhibition showcasing some tapes recovered from the time, and interviews with people who regularly sent tapes cross-continent.

Abdul Aziz from Glasgow’s family regularly sent cassettes back to loved ones after moving. But his first memories come from being in Pakistan.

“I remember sitting in the village with my uncle and all my cousins in the mud made home.” He said.

“And this gentleman coming in with a cassette recorder, and then putting a tape in it.”

The nostalgia from childhood has been very much welcomed by Abdul.

He recalls: “It’s like harking back on the days when I was a wee seven-year-old boy. Running about the village.

“My aunties and uncles, the love, I can feel that love that was there – it was an innocent, pure, unfiltered love.”

Dozens of people have been interviewed for the exhibition and Tabassum Niamat is a community engagement officer who conducted many of them.

She told STV News: “A lot of these interviews were very emotional.

“There was moments where we’d be laughing, there would be moments where a tear or two would come.

“Because it would be so painful just leaving your families behind and you’re coming here starting all over or making a life for yourself and your children.

“It’s struggles that otherwise a lot of our younger generations don’t understand.”

Tape Letters to Scotland is currently open to the public at the Museum of Edinburgh and Dundee’s Central Library and will arrive at Glasgow’s Tramway on October 12, with both displays set to stay into the new year.