Suresh Singh, author of A Modest Living, Memoirs of a Cockney Sikh recalls his Bengali friends describe him as ‘one of us’. 

Suresh became the first Punjabi punk, playing drums for Spizzenergi and touring with Siouxsie & the Banshees. In the book, chapters of biography are alternated with Sikh recipes by Jagir Kaur.

The host: Stefan Dickers is the Special Collections and Archives Manager at Bishopsgate Institute and looks after its extensive material on London, Protest and LGBTQ+ History. He began at the Bishopsgate Institute in 2005. Previous to this, Stefan worked in the archives of the London School of Economics and Senate House Library.

There will be a visual sharing of the Suresh Singh Archive kept at the Bishopsgate Institute London.

A Modest Living, Memoirs of a Cockney Sikh is published by Spitalfields Life.

This event is suitable for audience members aged 12 and above.

A timely reminder of all that modern Britishness encompasses.
The Observer
A Modest Living: Memoirs of a Cockney Sikh written by the generous and dapper Suresh Singh and published by Spital Fields Life Books. This book is about so much that is relevant today, and yet at the core it is a love story between father and son. Designed beautifully by Friederike Huber with photographs by Patricia Niven this is an elegant and important book. Full of photos & recipes & the quiet wisdom of a natural storyteller and observer. It stole my heart
Sarah Winman, Author of Still Life, When God was a Rabbit, A Year of Marvellous Ways and Tin Man

Photo credit: Patricia Niven

Suresh Singh Instagram / Suresh Singh on Spitalfields Life Website

Friederike Huber Instagram / Patricia Niven Instagram

#SpitalfieldsLifeBooks

We’ve reduced capacity in all of our spaces. Find out more about how we’re keeping you safe.
If you have any access requirements, please contact our box office team on 020 7613 7498 or email