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Indo-German Exchange: The India Chapter

by Palak D., Class X

“India is a place where colour is doubly bright. Pink that scalds your eyes, blues you could drown in.”

The India-leg of the Indo-German Cultural Exchange was an experience of a kind and one to cherish for a lifetime. To share one’s culture: a way of life in itself, is a feeling more beautiful than can be put into mere words.

Gurudwara Bangla Sahib
Gurudwara Bangla Sahib – A photo made by the German partner

Having a German partner at home, seeing them relish Indian delicacies, fall in love with the vibrant finery and navigate through the chaotic, yet unfailingly charming streets of India, filled me with a sense of gratification that I’d never felt before. Be it the Gurdwara Bangla Sahib or the jostling lanes of Janpath, the bewilderment and awe I saw on the faces of German students made me feel deeply grateful for this platform and such accepting partners, who embraced this new culture with open arms.

Emma and Palak

My partner and I, for instance, shared a common fascination with jewellery, and India holds a plethora of different kinds of ornaments, influenced by our culture and history. I don’t remember a single store at Janpath that we didn’t stop to admire. Despite the designs and styles being so different from the ones back in Germany, every piece was appreciated for its distinctive handiwork.

Continue reading “Indo-German Exchange: The India Chapter”
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Wicke(d)/(t) Cricket

Who is the best cricket player in the world? Which team do you support? Questions that are easily answered by anybody from India. But what answer would a German exchange student give? None! Cricket is hardly known in Germany. Many even confuse the sport with croquet.

Our German exchange student Jakob therefore started the quest to explore the world of cricket. He interviewed his Indian host to explain the rules to him.

At the end, Jakob was still quite confused. But, just listen yourself.

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The Timeless Architecture of the Symbol of Love

by Konstantin, Viren, Leon, Shreerao, Shrishti, Annika

The Taj Mahal, known for ist stunning architecture, attracts millions of visitors every year. Its story makes it a symbol of eternal devotion.

The Taj Mahal, often regarded as the jewel of India, was built by Emperor Shah Jahan in memory of his beloved wife, Mumtaz Mahal, who died at the age of 39 during the delivery oft he couple’s 14th child. Completed in 1653, this white marble mausoleum symbolizes love, devotion and architectural excellence. It is a UNESCO World heritage site and is considered one of the Modern Wonders oft he World. The structure is an exquisite blend of Persian, Islamic and Indian architectural styles. The main building with its massive dome is surrounded by four minarets and the complex also includes beautiful gardens, a mosque and a guest house. The central chamber contains the tombs of Shah Jahan and Mumtaz Mahal. Intricate carvings and inlaid precious stones add to the monument’s beauty. Visitors are often mesmerized by the Taj Mahal’s symmetrical design an the way it reflects the changing colours of the sky throughout the day. During sunrise, for example, it glows with a warm, golden hue.

Visiting the Taj Mahal is a moving experience for visitors around the Wold. Its architectural beauty in combination with its captivating story about love beyond the borders of death has everyone in awe who is lucky enough to see it.

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A trip to the temple

by Konstantin W.

On the first day of our journey, my exchange Student and his mom brought me to two temples. The first temple, called the Mata Rani temple is dedicated to many different gods like Ganesha, Ram and Shiv Ji. We also read about the gods representing the solar system and standing for each day of the week.

At the temple
At the entrance of the temple

There was a huge shivling wich is a symbol for praying for lord shiva. It’s a giant metal rock where water from a pot drops regularly onto to cool the anger of Shiv Ji. The second one is devoted to Sai Baba, he was a devotee of god. He was very wise and it is said, that he healed everything he touched. We also offered money for donations and also got prashad, wich are little snacks, mostly sweet and they are given to the people who pray to the gods as a form of a blessing.

It felt differently nice. I am really happy to experienced that.

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A Double Vodka Please!

Big Game, shot in Munich
We also went to the set of “Big Game”.

If one ever goes to Munich, one place that everyone must visit is the Bavaria Filmstudious. Some of history’s highest grossing films were shot there like “The Boat”, “The Neverending Story”, “Ludwig 2” or Samuel L. Jackson’s “Big Game” were shot there.

Though we reached late at the destination, we all were given a task of thinking up an idea for our own short film. Upon reaching, we all discussed our ideas and reached a final decision and headed to a small location for shooting our film called “Influencer”.

Shooting the movie
Shooting the movie

Shooting the film was a really great experience as I got an insight as to what goes into making even a short 5-6 minute long film. All were given a trip of the studio after production, which was cut short by rain ??

Influencer, the new blockbuster
Influencer! The new Blockbuster!

After the tour we all saw the film for the first time and laughed at each other about how they all acted and what all they said. The one dialogue I’ll always remember will be “A double Vodka please” which one student made while filming the video.

Written by Parag S.

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Influencer

Too often the message of a photo is dependend on the angle it was taken from. Shot from the wrong perspective and out of context it soon becomes Fake News. The German and Indian exchange students created the movie “Influencer” to point out this problem and to depict the strong influence of pictures upon Teenagers.

Influencer is a Story about a broken relationship. Unfortunately one partner is quite unhappy with the break-up. In an (un)fortunate situation he takes a photo of his ex-girlfriend. Due to the chosen perspective of the photographer the image doesn’t represent the whole truth. Nevertheless, he shares it on social media.

The movie “Influencer” somehow became the major product of our exchange project. It depicts the power of media unveils how our own opinion is shaped by it. In addition, Influencer proofs how easy it is to create your own media content.

The whole storyline was developed with the support of Bavaria Filmstudios. There, the one day long shooting took place, too.

The Indo-German movie project “Influencer”.
Sharing this video without consent of Johannes-Turmair-Gymnasium and the Bavria-Filmstudios is strictly forbidden.
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Flavours of Nostalgia

Korbinian and his Indian lassi
Korbinian enjoying his new favourite drink.

We all had a real good Indian dinner just two days before we were to depart. It was held at Ganesha restaurant in Straubing.

Everyone including our partners and their families had a shirt glimpse of the Indian cuisine that they would get when they come to India.

Making Indian lassi
Making lassi.

My partner, Korbinian fell in love with the sweet milk drink we call lassi made of yogurt and water. I can’t be sure about how many glasses he had but it was probably close to 4 or 5 because he loved it so much ( the next day he made me make 3 large jugs worth of lassi ? ).

The food tasted the same as it does when my mum makes it and that made me miss home. Eating that food really filled me up and after I couldn’t eat anything else.