Durga Puja
The Bengali festival honoring the goddess Durga: pandals, clay images and the ritual at the water.
Read moreCulture, Festivals and Everyday Life
India has no single national language. The constitution lists 22 official languages. That variety shows why Indian culture in Germany cannot be described in one sentence. Ink & Marigold is an independent online magazine that gives an overview of the subject and explains the basics at an easy pace.

Each of these topics has its own page. The article on Durga Puja describes one of the great Hindu festivals, and the article on Diwali explains the festival of lights. Festivals show how a tradition is lived even outside its country of origin.
The Bengali festival honoring the goddess Durga: pandals, clay images and the ritual at the water.
Read moreFive days of lights: oil lamps, rangoli and sweets, with a date set by the lunar calendar.
Read moreRaga and tala, sitar and tabla, Bharatanatyam and Kathak as an entry point to the classical arts.
Read more22 official languages, Devanagari and other scripts: why there is no national language.
Read moreDal, breads and spices: regional variety instead of one single curry.
Read moreMusic and Dance covers classical Indian music and Indian dance forms. The text is aimed at anyone who wants to understand what these arts are built on before attending a concert or a performance. The article on languages and scripts introduces the languages of India and so picks up the subject this page opened with. Cuisine, finally, is as varied as the regions of the country.
The magazine is devoted to Indian culture in Germany and its traditions. The focus is on what can be seen and heard: festivals, music, dance, scripts and food. The texts explain connections instead of just listing keywords.
It also matters what this site is not. It does not belong to any association, publishes no events calendar and keeps no membership lists. It is an independent source of information about India in Germany and is not tied to any organization.

One thread runs through all the content: India in Germany. The topics are treated separately. There are no event listings here. After reading the articles, you should understand better where customs, sounds, characters and flavors come from.
The second reason is independence. The magazine represents no group and can therefore describe Indian culture without prescribing a particular viewpoint. That matters for such a varied subject, because a single festival, language or dish rarely stands for the whole.
The easiest way is to begin with the article that interests you most, such as the one on Diwali, music and dance, or cuisine. Each article can be read on its own. Together they give a picture of what Indian culture looks like in Germany, in everyday life and on festival days.
The sites below deal with topics outside Indian culture and are listed for readers who like to explore further.
portland radio
Radio in Portland, Oregon ranges from public broadcasting to small college and community stations. Many listeners there tune in for local news, call-in shows and homegrown bands.
football in malaysia
Football is widely followed in Malaysia, where a national league and a long-running cup competition draw loyal crowds. Matches there are played in warm, humid conditions that shape the tempo of the game.
thai buddhist temples
Thai Buddhist temples, known as wats, usually have ornate roofs, gilded statues and courtyards for ceremonies. Many also serve as meeting places where villagers gather for festivals and daily merit-making.
quebec cinema
Films from Quebec reflect a French-speaking society within North America, with stories drawn from local history and city life. The province has produced a steady stream of directors who find audiences at festivals abroad.
catholic writers
Catholic authors write fiction, verse, essays and spiritual guidance, often drawing on centuries of church tradition. Their work asks how belief shapes the way people live, love and suffer.
christian rock music
Christian rock is a branch of rock music in which lyrics speak about belief, doubt and hope. It grew up alongside the wider rock scene and gathered its own labels, bands and audiences.
formula 3 racing asia
Formula 3 is a training ladder for single-seat drivers hoping to reach the higher ranks of motorsport. The Asian series gives regional talent a place to race on circuits across the continent.
western australia art
Art in Western Australia covers everything from city galleries to bush landscapes painted by Indigenous artists. The huge state also has local artists who respond to its coast, desert and light.
net art
Net art uses the internet as both tool and subject, from early browser experiments to current social platforms. Its makers are interested in how people look at pictures and text on a screen.
bronze sculpture
A bronze sculpture begins as a model, which is turned into a mold before the molten metal is poured in. After casting, the surface is finished by hand and treated to bring out a chosen color.
arabic music guide
Music in the Arab world includes classical forms built on maqam, popular songs and regional folk styles. Listeners new to it often start with famous singers and then move toward instrumental traditions.
bahai writings
Baha'i scripture and commentary are gathered in books that address prayer, ethics and the oneness of humanity. Readers can study the original texts alongside later compilations and introductory works.
intaglio printmaking
Printmakers working in intaglio draw into a metal plate with needles or acid and then force ink into the grooves. When the plate goes through the press, fine lines appear on the paper with a slightly raised surface.
dc punk scene
Washington, DC grew a punk scene of its own from the late 1970s, with bands that played small halls and released their own records. The scene is remembered for its emphasis on independent organizing.
australian indie music
Independent musicians in Australia often build their following through local gigs and student radio. The country's indie scene covers jangly guitar pop as well as electronic and folk acts.
summer learning loss
During long school breaks, some children forget part of what they learned, especially in reading and math. Parents and teachers counter this with library visits, practice books and summer programs.
western mystery tradition
The Western mystery tradition refers to a body of esoteric teaching that includes ritual, symbolism and ideas drawn from European history. Students study its texts and practice meditation or ceremony as part of their path.
lincoln county wyoming
Lincoln County in Wyoming is a sparsely populated area where ranching, outdoor recreation and small-town life set the pace. Visitors find high valleys, rivers and trails within a short drive of each other.
british music hall history
British music hall was the stage for comic songs, acrobats and sketches, performed in lively halls from the nineteenth century on. Its performers became household names, and some of its songs are still sung today.
yorkshire industrial heritage
In Yorkshire, textile mills, ironworks, mines and railways once drove the local economy. Their remains can still be seen in towns, valleys and old canal basins.